CONTROVERSIAL plans for the construction of a crematorium on land at Poundstock have been refused by Cornwall Council.  

The Atlantic View Crematorium Consortium (AVCC), a group comprising local landowners and local family funeral directors had applied for a reconsideration of their application on land west of the A39 at Poundstock after a high court judgement quashed the initial granting of permission for the crematorium. 

The consortium supplied the local authority with a rebuttal statement from an expert hired by the group, countering the verdict of the high court, revised plans showing a reduction of the floor area and an applicant’s response to the judicial review judgement, which had rejected Cornwall Council’s reasons for approving the application and sent it back to be reassessed again.

AVCC added in their amended submission to Cornwall Council: “We wish to take this opportunity to point the attention of the case officer to the wealth of support for this application from members of the local community and clergy alike, which views have been lost amongst the few objectors.” 

Out of 457 public comments received by Cornwall Council, 327 comprised of objections while 126 were statements in support of the plans.  

In refusing the application, Cornwall Council said that it was not convinced that the proposed crematorium would be viable, especially in light of the scale of the crematorium proposed.  

It added that it did not believe there was convincing evidence that there were not alternative sites for the planned crematorium available, with the site proposed being, in the view of the council, in an area without sustainable modes of transports.  

Further, the council also stated that the disturbance to bats was not outweighed with the overriding public interest for the proposal.  

The local authority told the applicant: “It is not considered the information submitted and available to the Local Planning Authority has demonstrated a clear and convincing qualitative and quantitative need for the proposed crematorium based on the indicative thresholds set out within The Competitions and Markets Authority Report - Funerals Market Investigation Final Report 18.12.20.  

“The relatively modest number of cremations generated by the population of the natural catchment area fails to demonstrate the proposed crematorium will be viable, particularly in light of the large scale of the crematorium proposed which is capable of accommodating more than one cremator. Submissions also fail to provide convincing evidence to demonstrate there are no other alternative sites available.  

“Based on these findings, it has not been demonstrated to a satisfactory extent that there is an overriding locational and business need for the proposed crematorium to be sited in this particular location, which is not accessible to a range of sustainable modes of transport and fails to prioritise walking and cycling over the use of private fossil fuel vehicles. 

“Furthermore, the proposed development will result in a significant change and an intensification of land use on what is currently a green field site, introducing new built form in undeveloped countryside.  

“The proposal will impact on the tranquillity of the site as a result of increased movement and activity and the extensive changes to topography will result in a degree of harm to the surrounding landscape, failing to sustain the local distinctiveness and character of the locality.”

Adding: “The proposal fails to comply with the Habitat Directives in that there is no overriding public interest for the proposal and there would be a disturbance to foraging and commuting bats.”

The Post has contacted Atlantic View Crematorium Consortium for response.