Pet crematorium plan proves a burning issue (From Malvern Gazette)

Pet crematorium plan proves a burning issue

12:00pm Sunday 5th February 2012 in News By Robert Hale

CONTROVERSIAL plans for a pet crematorium at Leigh Sinton will be going before council planners next week.

Les Childs, the owner of Brookend Kennels, in Stocks Lane, Leigh Sinton, wants to install the crematorium so he can offer pet owners the service of incinerating their pets’ bodies.

His previous attempt in 2009 failed after Worcestershire County Council refused to grant planning permission, a decision which was upheld at appeal by a government planning inspector.

But last year he submitted a new application, which he hopes will overcome the objections to the previous one.

This week he said: “We were told by the planning inspector we had failed to demonstrate sustainability, which turns out to mean reducing the carbon footprint.

“We asked all the local vets and they are currently sending the bodies miles away to be cremated.

“If they can send them here, we're reducing our carbon footprint and that proves our sustainability.”

The proposal is on the agenda for Worcestershire County Council’s planning and regulatory committee on Tuesday.

Officers are recommending the plan for refusal on the grounds that it is in an unacceptable location, and that it goes against the local plan regarding development in the open countryside.

Leigh and Bransford Parish Council and Malvern Hills District Council have opposed the plan, and 22 letters of objection and a 105- name petition has been received by the county council.

Mr Childs said: “If the council refuse it again, we will appeal again, and demonstrate we’ve complied with the recommendations.”