Work on Gedling borough’s new crematorium is almost complete and it will be open for business before the end of the year.
Building work at the site on Catfoot Lane in Lambley began in January of this year and it’s now drawing to a close.
Once the new crematorium is up and running it’s expected to look after four to five funerals a day and will ease pressure on the existing crematoria at Bramcote, Wilford Hill and Mansfield, which are amongst the busiest in the country.
The project was delayed last year following a legal challenge by a site neighbour despite permission being granted by Gedling Borough Council’s planning committee.
The High Court eventually backed the Borough Council’s decision to allow the Westerleigh Group to develop the new facility on Green Belt land outside the village.
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Richard Evans, Managing Director of crematorium operator the Westerleigh Group, is convinced the new facility will be in character with its rural setting.
He said: “You can now see now how the building sits into the landscape in the way that we promised. There is still much more work to complete but we are pleased with progress so far,
“I am confident that local residents in time will see this as a real asset to the community. We appreciate that the surrounding landscape is special and this allows everyone who attends a funeral to draw comfort from this wonderful natural setting.”
The company say that most of the builders working at the site are from local companies and that he brick is supplied by Ibstock who are based locally at Dorket Head – just minutes from the site.
Commenting on the development, Stuart Leslie, Operations Director of Esh Build said: “The Westerleigh Group is a leading operator in its sector and these contracts are testament to the rigour of our approach. This is a complex build with the important requirement to be considerate of local residents.”
Cllr John Clark, Leader of Gedling Borough Council said: “We are pleased that this project is underway. It is providing jobs for local people. Families will soon be able to make use of the new crematorium.”