New Maldon Crematorium set to be Carbon Neutral
The proposed crematorium for Maldon is set to be the greenest in the UK according to its developer, Elegy Ltd.
The crematorium would be built in a secluded spot, set down close to woodland off the A414/Maldon Road near to Woodham Mortimer.
It would be fitted with the latest filtration equipment to ensure that the process is clean to air. This includes specialist plant to remove any nitrous oxide, NOX, which goes beyond regulatory requirements and will be one of the very first fitted in the UK.
Elegy also plans to recycle energy from the process to heat the buildings and reduce its carbon footprint. Providing a local facility will also remove the need for thousands of extra journeys to Chelmsford and to crematoria in other parts of the region.
The developers believe that this will help the crematorium to ultimately be carbon neutral given that there will be significant tree planting across the site.
Elegy Director Richard Evans said: “We want to create a beautiful natural setting for each funeral and this also helps to keep our environmental impact to a minimum. The environmental performance of crematoria has been transformed over the past twenty years with the introduction of highly sophisticated filtration equipment. Britain leads the way in this field and Elegy wants to ensure that we only use the best available technology to limit our impact.”
Local funeral directors and residents have backed the scheme which would mean bereaved families in the Maldon area no longer having to endure long journeys to hold their funeral at the congested Chelmsford crematorium or further afield to Basildon and Colchester, which can involve a drive of 40 minutes or more.
Results of a survey amongst local residents carried out for the crematorium developer Elegy indicate that more than nine out of ten residents (91%) believe there to be a need for a new crematorium to serve Maldon District.
The planning application was submitted more than six months ago, at the end of last year, and local funeral director Paul King is keen to see the crematorium now permitted:
“There has long been a need for a new crematorium to serve the Maldon district and everyone I know in the local bereavement service wants to see these plans permitted as soon as possible so we can improve the situation for families suffering a loss.”
Richard Evans agreed: “Our application was submitted at the end of last year and we are not aware of any outstanding issues or objections. We are now keen for councillors to hear our case.”
It is hoped that the application will be heard by the Council’s planning committee in July.