Proposals for a new crematorium to serve West Cheshire and South Wirral.
A local, family-run service
Elegy believe that bereaved families of this area should have a crematorium of their own to meet today’s expectations, easily accessible and free from the congestion and pressures that blight existing crematoria.
"We want to create a beautiful place, sympathetically designed within natural surroundings, able to offer somewhere peaceful and personal for each individual funeral."
Unrivalled experience
We have been working on this this mission for over two decades and our Managing Director, Richard Evans, has unrivalled experience in providing high quality, sensitively designed new crematoria for communities across the country as well as real unrivalled knowledge of this area; born and raised nearby, and a pupil of Helsby school.
We have been persistent as we know that there is no place in the country which is in more need for a modern, local alternative to relieve pressure on the crematoria at Landican and Blacon.
An independent Family run service
Richard has continued to search for the right site alongside his brother James who also worked on the original scheme at Waterworks Lane. Together they believe that this is the right time and the right spot to finally provide a local, accessible crematorium capable of holding dignified funerals. They are also committed to running an independent, local service free of the pressures of Private Equity Investment. Fees will remain fair and all local Funeral Directors, big and small, will have a genuine influence. This will be one of a kind rather than one of a group.
"We offer a new & more enlightened way to remember and celebrate a person’s life"
We believe that there is no greater need for a crematorium in this country.
Landican is one of the busiest crematorium in the country holding just over 3000 cremations a year in a cemetery complex designed almost a century ago. Blacon is a modern facility but is also operating beyond its capacity with an average of over 1700 cremations plus burial services held in its single chapel each year.
These pressures will only grow over the next 20 years as the numbers of deaths rise, forecast by the ONS to be over 30% for west Cheshire and @15% for the Wirral due to the aging populations.
“A new crematorium would finally allow families to have a local, less busy choice of their own with a minimum of an hour allowed for each service. Overall, the new service is expected to look after @1250 cremations a year, 4-5 per day on average, providing a much quieter and peaceful setting.”
23 year site search
Further to our consultation event on 17th June further information is provided below on our site search.
We have tried to avoid a return to Hooton and have spent the time since our appeal was dismissed on School Lane (May 2024), looking for alternative sites beyond Hooton. This has included land closer to Landican within the Borough of Wirral, as well as brown field sites. None of these sites however proved to be suitable nor were they able to match the advantages of Waterworks Lane.
- The Waterworks Lane site, sits opposite the railway station car park and close to a range of existing developments. Our planning assessment has concluded that the position comprises Grey Belt land, a less sensitive Green Belt position, compared to other sites we considered, such as the open landscapes off the A540 (Chester High Road) or the fields around Clatterbridge hospital. These areas have been reviewed in detail over the past 23 years and again, more recently, however they would have a greater impact on the landscape than Waterworks Lane.
- The Waterworks Lane site is self-contained with mature boundaries on all sides, offering only limited views into the site which would provide a secluded, private setting for funerals.
- The existing junction with Hooton Road, provides access to the train station, and would readily cope with additional traffic. It is difficult to identify a more sustainable location that meets the various requirements for crematoria developments. Locational sustainability was a key issue highlighted by the appeal inspector in their decision regarding the School Lane site.
- In total, the directors of Elegy have considered 61 potential development sites in detail. 21 sites were reviewed as part of the 2008 appeal for permission to develop a crematorium on Waterworks Lane with that planning inspector being satisfied that no better alternatives existed. 14 years was then spent considering sites closer to Ellesmere Port, on brownfield land, with feedback from CWAC planning officers. 40 sites were considered in detail at this time with full details included in the site search document below (copies were provided at our recent public consultation event and can be seen by clicking on the links below) which accompanied our 2024 appeal. Our proposal at School Lane was in Hooton but on previously developed land – evidence that we had tried to avoid Green Field development.
- As stated above, a further search for land away from Hooton continued after the School Lane appeal was dismissed in May 2024 but, ultimately, none of the alternatives match Waterworks Lane in terms of meeting the unique criteria for crematoria and minimising harm to the Green Belt.
DOWNLOAD - Site search, up to our 2024 Appeal for School Lane
DOWNLOAD - Appendix: sites 1,2,3,6,7,8,9,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,32,39,40,41 and 56
DOWNLOAD - Appendix: sites 3,4,5,11,22,23,24,25,26,27,29,30,31,34,35,36,37,38,43,44,45,55 and 58
DOWNLOAD - Appendix: sites 10,21,42,43 and 50
Environment
We would use the very best available filtration technology and be one of the first crematoria to fit NOx (nitrous oxide) abatement to ensure that our service would be “clean to air”. Heat from the cremation process will also be used to warm the building. Ultimately the new service will be carbon neutral.
More information on our planned equipment and the cremation process can be found on the documents below:
It is also important to note that CWAC’s Environmental Protection Officer was satisfied with similar arrangements that accompanied our planning application in 2023 as well as those put forward by Horizon, including their current 2026 scheme. Furthermore, a separate licence has to be obtained from DEFRA before any crematorium is allowed to operate, regardless of any planning permission. The regulations set in the UK are the most stringent in the world but are comfortably met by the most advanced filtration equipment. Do contact CWAC’s EPO if you want independent advice.
Design
Our proposals are for a sensitive, sympathetic design of a smaller scale than the one put forward by Horizon. It is single storey in size and designed to match the local character with the use of red brick alongside handmade plain tiles and timber cladding. This should help it sit comfortably in the existing landscape and be respectful of its position within the countryside.
More details can be seen on the accompanying leaflet and plans.
(Click on image to Enlarge)
Waterworks Lane
Westerleigh Group Ltd first applied to build a crematorium on Waterworks Lane in 2006 after being invited to provide a new service by Ellesmere Port and Neston Council. The application was refused on appeal in 2008 as the Planning Inspector did not believe, at that time, that there was sufficient evidence of need to allow development in the Green Belt. The inspector was satisfied though that no better alternative existed. Ninety new crematoria have been permitted across the country since then, many at appeal, with Planning Authorities accepting that the bereaved need an improved level of care. This was also the view of the Planning Inspector in 2024 although she turned down both applications for new crematoria. Horizon’s scheme on Hooton Road was largely rejected due to landscape harm whilst Elegy’s site on School Lane was principally refused on Highways grounds.
Elegy believe that Waterworks Lane is a much more secluded spot than the field on Hooton Road put forward by Horizon (its latest application is due to be determined this summer) and overcomes all of the highway issues of School Lane. Indeed, one of its key advantages is its highly sustainable location next to the railway station with connecting bus, pedestrian and cycle links.
Access and Highways
Almost all funerals take place in the middle of the day, outside of peak traffic with typically @average of 20 cars attending each funeral, resulting in an average of 80-100 cars visiting the site each day.
The existing junction already copes with much greater volumes at peak times with people using the car park. The existing footpath will also be extended into our access to provide a pedestrian link for any mourners using the train or bus services.
It is also important to note that the vast majority of funerals and mourners will come from communities along the M53 such as Ellesmere Port, Eastham and Bebington, using the A41 and M53. It is appreciated that there will be some extra traffic through Willaston but, for many, it will be quicker to use the Welsh Road before turning onto Hooton Road at the Chimneys traffic lights. Funeral Directors have confirmed that they would be using these main roads and we will provide directions along these designated routes on our website and all of our guides. Funeral Directors will be asked to give similar advice. Further information on traffic distribution will be provided as part of any application.
Your comments are important
The consultation period has now closed, we are grateful for the comments received.