Plans to build a new crematorium could help with the high funeral demand during winter seasons.

Watford Borough Council is leading the development of a new sister crematorium for West Herts in the Hemel Hempstead area.

The proposal says a new single chapel crematorium would be built at Bedmond Road by Bunkers Park which would include 139 seated congregation, a crematory and administration and staff spaces, with a separate pavilion and memorial facilities.

Open space surrounding the site would also be made of use with a memorial garden, woodland areas, long grass meadows and a car park.

Watford Observer:

CGI images illustrating the pathway leading to the crematorium

The site would have easy access through the highway network, walking, cycling and using public transport networks that surround the site and Leverstock Green as a whole.

Watford Observer:

The current crematorium opened in Garston in 1959 and performs over 3,000 crematoriums annually for areas in West Hertfordshire.

But due to demands there can be up to three weeks for a funeral during peak periods in winter months due to its limited capacity and having no expansion space.

West Herts Crematorium Joint Committee say that the demand for crematoriums has risen in recent years and the proportion of those aged 65 and above is predicted to significantly increase in future years.

The joint committee say that building the sister site would mean reduced waiting times during peak periods and would increase the choice available to residents between the Garston and Hemel Hempstead sites.

Watford Observer:

A CGI render of the inside of the chapel

Watford Observer:

A CGI render of the floral tribute at the crematorium

With a new site, the crematorium can enhance the quality of service provided to bereaved families by increased service times from 40 to 60 minutes.

A public consultation meeting was due to take place in March but was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

A virtual public consultation will instead take place on Thursday (July 23) from 6.30pm to 8pm.

To take part in the consultation, visit here. and to read full details on the planning application, visit here.