Council lodges bid to develop the region’s ‘greenest crematorium’
Worcester City Council has submitted a proposal to build the “greenest crematorium in the West Midlands”.
The application for a major refurbishment of Worcester Crematorium would see the Astwood Road site installed with two electric cremators, to replace the current three gas-powered ones and a heat recovery system, to re-use energy from the new cremators to warm the building.
Other features include a new thermally-improved roof, a refurbishment of the chapel, a new chapel garden with a Japanese theme, landscaping improvements to boost biodiversity and electric charging points.
The scheme is set to receive a £1.4 million grant awarded through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, which supports energy-efficiency projects and is run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and delivered by Salix.
The application will be considered by Worcester City Council’s planning committee in the coming weeks.
Cllr Lynn Denham, Leader of Worcester City Council, which operates Worcester Crematorium and Cemetery said: “If planning permission is granted, this will be the greenest crematorium in the West Midlands when it reopens next year, significantly reducing the site’s carbon footprint.
“All the energy used at the site will be from sustainable sources. The electricity that drives the cremators will be from the City Council’s sustainable suppliers, and additional energy generated by the cremators will heat the building and its water.
“Improvements to the cemetery grounds will also bring a biodiversity net gain to a much-loved location that has already secured the prestigious Green Flag award.
“Importantly, this refurbishment – if approved – will make the Crematorium an even more welcoming place that provides the appropriate atmosphere for people to remember and celebrate the lives of their loved ones.”
If planning permission is approved, the target start date for the refurbishment work will be August. It will last for around nine months, during which time the crematorium building will be closed.
