Croydon Lane cemetery inquiry

The Secretary of State’s appointed Inspector has dismissed the appeal against the refusal to grant planning permission for a burial site incorporating a chapel building on land close to Banstead in Surrey.  The site is in the Green Belt, and the Inspector concluded that the proposal would represent inappropriate development, harmful in principle and also in terms of loss of openness, encroachment into the countryside and impact on character & appearance.  The Inspector was not persuaded that there is a clear deficiency in the supply of burial space such that the needs of the Borough’s residents are not being met, and he found that the other considerations relied upon by the appellant did not clearly outweigh the harm. Stephen Whale of Landmark Chambers successfully represented Reigate & Banstead Borough Council at the inquiry. For a copy of the decision, click here.