The Centre for Natural Burial

The owner of a country estate has unveiled plans to extend Norfolk’s first woodland burial site by creating a new wetland nature reserve.

The Colney Wood Memorial Park, near Norwich, was opened for burials and the scattering of ashes in 2000, despite concerns from villagers over the impact on a conservation area.

But James Boddy, owner of Colney Hall and its 83-acre estate, has now submitted proposals to South Norfolk Council to extend the green cemetery by creating an extra nine acres of burial space on the River Yare floodplain.

The scheme, which has been put together by Norfolk Wildlife Services - the commercial arm of Norfolk Wildlife Trust - would see the removal of material from the lower level of the floodplain to create a series of linked pools as part of a wetland enhancement. The material from the excavation would then be deposited at a higher level of the site to form the extension of the woodland burial ground, off Watton Road.

Mr Boddy said the “stunning” proposals came as a result of high demand for plots at the 11-acre site, which is set to reach capacity within 10 years. He added that it would take several years for the new burial ground to settle and be planted.

“It has been very, very successful and we are limited with space. The enhanced wetland and burial site will provide a unique facility, which will provide the people of Norfolk with the most varied choice of burial options in the country.”

He added that the scheme would help to benefit local flora and

fauna, and relatives and wildlife enthusiasts would be able to watch the burial site and wetland via remote webcams.