A Corby Cemetery Extension is nearing completion, with the boundaries of the existing cemetery being extended to the south-west to create additional burial plots and space for memorial gardens for different faith groups.
The Shire Lodge cemetery in Rockingham Road, owned by North Northamptonshire Council, won planning permission in 2020 after it was reported that there were only around two years of spaces left.
An area for over 3,000 additional burial plots has been created with a cremation burial area and a memorial garden.
The move is expected to provide enough space for the next 20 to 25 years as the site is developed into a lawn cemetery.
North Northamptonshire Executive Member for Growth and Regeneration, Councilor David Brackenbury, said: “Thank you to the residents for their support while this necessary work has been carried out at the cemetery. It is through their patience that we have been able to expand the site so that those who have sadly passed away have a proper resting place, as well as giving their loved ones a peaceful place to visit and pay their respects.
The new expansion will be very different from the current cemetery. Roads and paths will be created, but the rest of the area will be laid to lawn and only where necessary gravestone borders will be cut from the lawn.
Regulations are being developed for the new extension to ensure the area remains a lawned cemetery to allow unrestricted access to each burial plot, overall appearance and ease of maintenance.
As such, no sets of curbs, fences or any other form of curb will be permitted outside the headstone curb and all tributes and memorabilia of any kind must be kept inside the curb. of the tombstone.
North Northamptonshire Council leader Councilor Jason Smithers said: ‘The cemetery extension was welcome news and I am delighted that the work is now complete. Thank you to the contractors who worked respectfully throughout the process with minimal disruption to cemetery users. »
If you have any questions you can contact North Northamptonshire Council project manager Dylan Smith on 07498 234 352.
