Waltham Forest (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Waltham Forest Council approved a £10.9M electric crematorium at Chingford Mount, featuring an eco-friendly design to cut carbon footprint amid rising costs.
A 569 sqm building with a waiting area, family viewing area, chapel, crematorium space, and office will be part of this £10.9 million project.
As the scope of the designs and construction expenses has grown over the last two years, the project’s budget has risen from £8.3 million.
What are the benefits of the proposed scheme of this £10.9 million budget project?
According to a previous council assessment, the scheme’s benefits include lowering traffic, accommodating inhabitants of different religious faiths, simplifying funeral arrangements, and increasing town hall revenue.
The cemetery is expected to run out of room in roughly eight years if burials continue at their current rate.
However, 18 official objections to the project were submitted to the council despite the benefits that were cited.
The plan caused “a lot of consternation and anxiety,” according to Conservative councilor Catherine Saumarez.
She said, “toxic emissions further deteriorating their air quality” and “causing unpleasant smells” were the main concerns of the five nearby streets.
The location was “not appropriate,” stated by a resident and Chingford Residents Association spokesperson.
What were the reasons for the approval of the electric crematorium at Chingford Mount?
Some important considerations prompted the plan for an electric crematorium at Chingford Mount Cemetery, which would cost £10.9 million.
The necessity to solve the practical issues of local funeral planning was one of the primary reasons. It is anticipated that the crematorium will streamline these procedures, assisting families in organizing funeral ceremonies. It also seeks to accommodate a range of religious views in order to create a more welcoming atmosphere for the community.
The environmental factor was another important consideration. In keeping with larger initiatives to slow down climate change, the crematorium is built with environmentally friendly elements that lower carbon emissions.
The problem of traffic congestion is also addressed by the project. Having a cremation facility nearby will help reduce traffic. This is because fewer funeral processions will have to travel long distances.
Rising cost of cremation also played a role in the decision. Direct cremation increased from 3% of all funerals in 2019 to 20% in 2023 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in England.
This is changing as traditional funerals become increasingly expensive.
A committee of council members had to decide on the notions since the council had proposed them. According to the committee, the plans had also sparked an “extensive amount” of public attention.
The new crematorium’s construction is expected to start this year. By 2026, it is anticipated to be operational.