Summary of HBC Planning Department Recommendation:
That planning permission be REFUSED for the following reasons (or substantively similar
reasons as amended to the satisfaction of the Chief Planning and Transportation Officer):
1. The application site is in the rural area where development will be limited. However,
the proposal does not meet any of the circumstances where development will be
supported in the rural area.
2. The proposal constitutes inappropriate development in the Green Belt.
3. The proposal would have a harmful effect on the character and appearance of the area, including landscape character.
4. The proposal would include a significant overprovision of car parking, which would conflict with the aim of encouraging the greater use of sustainable transport modes. Moreover, in the absence of an obligation to secure contributions towards the required clearway traffic regulation order and review and revalidation of nearby signalised junctions, it would have an unacceptable impact on highway safety and the transport
network in terms of capacity and congestion.
5. The proposal would involve unjustified loss of and harm to trees protected by Tree Preservation Order(s).
6. In the absence of sufficient technical information, the proposal would present an
unacceptable risk of pollution of groundwater.
7. The application has not applied a sequential approach to the location of development.
8. In the absence of an appropriate field evaluation, the applicant has failed to adequately describe the significance of any potential archaeological assets affected by the proposal
9. The submitted information has not demonstrated that the proposal would incorporate renewable or low carbon technology to provide at least 10% of predicted energy demand and achieve a BREEAM ‘very good rating’ or justification for why this would not be viable and feasible.
Quote Planning ref 11/24/0417
Email: planning@hyndburnbc.gov.uk Or hand deliver to Adam Birkett C/O Hyndburn Borough Council Planning Office, Scaitcliffe House, Ormerod St. Accrington.
Everyone in your household can and should object. Try to make it personal so that the council counts each objection separately. Use your own words, choose what is important to you.
Potential Objections
Traffic:
Pleasington Cemetery regularly sees around 400 attendees at funerals, and the application’s assessment predicts similarly large numbers. The sizable car park further indicates expectations for high attendance.
The Muslim community tradition of attending gravesides on Fridays and during Eid will increase congestion during these times. Blackburn Road is already heavily trafficked, and the additional burden will likely cause traffic to divert through Oswaldtwistle, Knuzden, and Stanhill, impacting these areas as well.
Greenbelt Land:
This development would take place on valuable Greenbelt land cherished by Oswaldtwistle residents. The application does not demonstrate the special circumstances required for cemetery development on Greenbelt and would harm the area’s open landscape with large buildings and a nearly mile-long car park. Security fencing, likely to be advised by police as it was in a prior application, would further detract from the open, natural aspect of the Greenbelt.
Risk of Groundwater Contamination:
Flooding poses a serious risk of contaminating groundwater,
as much of this land remains underwater for months each year.
Environmental Concerns:
The local wildlife, flora, and fauna would be negatively impacted due to extensive paved parking areas and large buildings. Security floodlighting would further disrupt local wildlife. Additionally, the large catchment area for this cemetery would encourage longer-distance travel for funerals, counteracting any carbon reduction measures.
Lack of Need:
There is approximately 90 years of burial space available locally, meaning there is no immediate need for a new cemetery, especially as it is not specifically intended to serve the Oswaldtwistle community.
Visual Impact:
The proposed cemetery would significantly alter the area’s visual landscape, disrupting its agricultural heritage and impacting the rural aesthetic that is valued by the community.
Long-term Maintenance Concerns:
There is uncertainty about the cemetery’s long-term upkeep, especially if maintenance responsibilities are ambiguous or funding becomes insufficient. Given recent financial challenges faced by the Issa family, concerns about the cemetery’s sustainable management are heightened.
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