1. Development of additional Burial Space – Next Steps © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

2. Position Summary Hallingbury Road identified as only viable option for new cemetery land Hallingbury Road identified as only viable option for new cemetery land Outside parish, in Essex, approximately 200k to develop, may not be popular Outside parish, in Essex, approximately 200k to develop, may not be popular Reserve of £170K set aside by Council for additional burial land Reserve of £170K set aside by Council for additional burial land Rate of new burial reduced significantly in recent years, 10-15 years available in existing cemetery at current rate of burial - Buys us some time! Rate of new burial reduced significantly in recent years, 10-15 years available in existing cemetery at current rate of burial - Buys us some time! Could we re-use existing space instead of building new? Could we re-use existing space instead of building new? ‘Lift and deepen’ legal only in London at present, government have indicated sympathey to extending the legality, but have not taken action ‘Lift and deepen’ legal only in London at present, government have indicated sympathey to extending the legality, but have not taken action Alternative is double decking: raise land level by 2m (creating another ‘layer of graves’) Alternative is double decking: raise land level by 2m (creating another ‘layer of graves’) well established practice in church yards eg. St Michaels well established practice in church yards eg. St Michaels An apparently suitable area exists in old Cemetery for 20-30 years of burial. Only one young tree to fell and sympathetic topography, located to East of Chapel An apparently suitable area exists in old Cemetery for 20-30 years of burial. Only one young tree to fell and sympathetic topography, located to East of Chapel Mostly common graves, a few private graves where indefinite burial rights given over 100 years ago can be terminated by legal process set out in Cemeteries Order 1977. Mostly common graves, a few private graves where indefinite burial rights given over 100 years ago can be terminated by legal process set out in Cemeteries Order 1977. The area in question is consecrated, it may be necessary either to deconsecrate all or part or to bring it into production well before existing un-consecrated space is exhausted The area in question is consecrated, it may be necessary either to deconsecrate all or part or to bring it into production well before existing un-consecrated space is exhausted Further due dilligence on history required before confirming proposal Further due dilligence on history required before confirming proposal 20-30 years may suffice for Government to extend lift and deepen outside London –> possibility Hallingbury Road will never be needed. 20-30 years may suffice for Government to extend lift and deepen outside London –> possibility Hallingbury Road will never be needed. Re-use is the recommended option subject to further study to confirm Re-use is the recommended option subject to further study to confirm Decision sought Decision sought Agreement in principle to re-use part of the Old Cemetery by raising land, and to use up to £10K of existing reserve to fund necessary studies and permissions to confirm practicality (or to rule it out) once internal studies complete Agreement in principle to re-use part of the Old Cemetery by raising land, and to use up to £10K of existing reserve to fund necessary studies and permissions to confirm practicality (or to rule it out) once internal studies complete © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council