Work on Pateley Bridge cemetery extension to start in summerPlans to extend nearly full cemetery approved amid concernsPlans submitted to extend Pateley Bridge cemetery

A planning application has been submitted to extend Pateley Bridge Cemetery.

The application, which was tabled to North Yorkshire Council, outlines plans to build new traditional and natural burial sites, ash internments and parking spaces on land adjacent to the existing cemetery.

It comes after land next to the site was last year sold to the former Harrogate Borough Council by Pateley Town Council, after a report revealed it required more burial spaces for the next 300 years.

Following the abolition of the district council, the site is now owned by North Yorkshire Council, but the authority is still required to submit planning applications for its own assets.

According to a design and access statement, which was curated by CDS Cemeteries & Crematoria on behalf of the council, 314 new traditional burials and 48 natural burials would be built at the site.

The plans also show there would be 364 new ash internments, as well as five parking bays – including one for a hearse – and “cycle hoops” if plans are approved.

A visual of the proposed site. Pic: The CDS Group.

The plans also include a proposed two-way access road via the existing cemetery, which is by St Mary’s Church.

It adds the existing cemetery’s footpath would be extended for pedestrian access, and says native hedges, heathers and other bulbs would be planted for “the enjoyment of mourners”.

A new hedgerow with a timber post-and-rail fencing would also be erected to the west of the site boundary.

The grassland on which the extension would be built is currently used for livestock grazing, the application says.

The design and access statement concludes:

“This proposal would deliver a project that would provide essential additional burial provision to North Yorkshire Council.

“The design development has been informed by the sites semi rural and tranquil location and its immediate proximity to the existing cemetery.

“Its landscaping has been designed to provide a subtle yet valuable addition to the locality in terms of increasing the traditional hedgerow features, scattered trees, surrounding heathers and a species rich grassland of particular environmental value is the avoidance of damage to existing trees or vegetation.

“These design considerations thus ensure no adverse visual impact on the surrounding landscape.”

Planning officers will make a decision on the application at a later date.

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Council to press ahead with Pateley Bridge Cemetery expansion

Harrogate Borough Council is to press ahead with plans to purchase land near Pateley Bridge cemetery to expand burial space at the site.

Graham Swift, cabinet member for resources at the authority, approved spending £32,500 to purchase 2.5 acres of land in the town.

The borough council said it would now begin the process to purchase the land, which is owned by Pateley Bridge Town Council.

It is hoped the expansion will create enough burial space for the next 300 years.

James Bean, estates surveyor at the council, said in a report that the cemetery is expected to reach capacity for burials in the next two years.

He said:

“The cemetery at Pateley Bridge is soon to reach capacity and a solution for its longer term use needs to be established.

“Colleagues in the bereavement services team have identified an area of land next to the cemetery for possible expansion which would provide burial space for over 300 years.”

Work at the site will require planning consent following the purchase in order for the cemetery to expand.

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Harrogate mourner left ‘distressed’ by rubbish and overgrown grass at Stonefall Cemetery

A Harrogate mourner has said the current state of Harrogate’s Stonefall Cemetery is “disgraceful” and has called on the council to introduce more regular upkeep.

Trish Stephenson often goes to the cemetery to visit the grave of her cousin, who died last year.

She says the state of the cemetery is getting worse with overgrown grass in the garden of rest, dry patches and overflowing bins.

She said she has been visiting the cemetery for funerals for years but it is only in recent times she has found conditions getting worse. Her relatives have said the condition makes what should be a “peaceful time” distressing.

Ms Stephenson said:

“I’ve tried to speak to the council before but it doesn’t seem to change anything. The gardeners are cutting the grass every three to four weeks which is clearly not enough.

“It’s disgraceful. People go there to sit with their loved ones but the benches are covered in weeds and there’s litter on the floor. It’s not good enough.”

Areas of uneven and patchy grass at the graveyard

Harrogate Borough Council is responsible for maintenance at the cemetery, as it is for those across the district.

It said it was undertaking a programme to level out areas of its cemeteries that have risen over time and made it harder to cut the grass. A spokesperson said:

“Demand on our teams has understandably been high over the last two years but these works will now be prioritised. The team will visit Stonefall Cemetery in the coming weeks and address any concerns that have been raised.

“Some areas are being left to grow and not mown as we want to encourage biodiversity, attract pollinators and create habitats. We will of course continue to mow the grass along pathways and around gravestones so that mourners can pay their respects to their loved ones.”

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Last year the council came under fire for similar issues at Knaresborough Cemetery and Kirkby Road cemetery in Ripon.

Mourners in Ripon said unmown grass had grown to such a height it was difficult to find and visit graves, and there were overhanging trees and hedges completely obscuring rows of graves.

Jayne Jackson began volunteering at Knaresborough Cemetery after feeling the council wasn’t doing enough. She said grass was  left to grow uncontrollably and tree roots were causing graves to collapse.

Harrogate to honour Australia and New Zealand’s war dead

A ceremony to honour World War Two air force casualties from Australia and New Zealand who are buried in Harrogate will take place at Stonefall Cemetery on April 24.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) will host the Harrogate International Partnership’s Anzac Day Ceremony. It will highlight more than 100 casualties who were serving with the Australian and New Zealand air forces.

These include flight officer Terence McKinley, 21, who piloted a Halifax bomber on a test flight on November 14 1943 when both starboard engines failed just after take-off and the aircraft crashed just behind the Vale of York Hotel, Thirsk.

Four of the five crew on board also lost their lives.

McKinley had been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross a few months before his death after completing a tour of duty.

His citation describes him as ‘outstanding’ and says ‘his fine fighting spirit, courage and leadership have gained him the entire confidence of his crew’.

The Anzac Day Ceremony has been organised by Kate Spencer, who looks after the twinning between Harrogate and Wellington for Harrogate International Partnerships.

Ms Spencer said:

“I felt it was the right thing to do for these young airmen who, like thousands upon thousands of others, saw their lives cut drastically short in service of their country and the Commonwealth.

“I have the full backing of the RNZAF and Wellington City Council, who are delighted that this inaugural ceremony will now be held this year and for many more years to come. With the help and support of Colin Gibbs BEM and Elizabeth Smith of the CWGC, the ceremony will be a fine tribute to honour all these young Australians and New Zealanders who lie here together.”

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The ceremony will see representation from both the Australian and New Zealand High Commission as well as the Mayor and Mayoress of Harrogate and Andrew Jones MP.

The music will be provided by Tewit Youth Band and a pupil from Harrogate Grammar School will sing the New Zealand national anthem in both Maori and English.

Members of the public are invited to gather from 2.30pm for the ceremony start at 3pm.