Sandy Town Council Cemetery Extension Project
Date Added: 02/02/2024
In 2009, Sandy Town Council started to review its current cemetery capabilities and determined that to continue to accommodate full burials and cremations at the going rate, it was in danger of running out of space in the next few years. This realisation kicked off a lengthy process to investigate requirements to provide for future generations which initiated the first phase of the Cemetery Extension Project.
However, due to an annual average of 30-33 funerals, and with the Town Council already repurposing sections of the cemetery to accommodate the growing demand for cremations, it has been estimated that the existing site will be fully utilized within the next 2.5 to 3 years. Therefore, it is crucial to progress with a second phase of the Cemetery Extension Project to landscape the area and get it ready for use.
To this effect, Sandy Town Council has approved the application of a £280,000 loan to the Public Works Loan Board (PWLB) to cover the cost of the second phase of the cemetery extension. The Town Council will rely on its rolling Capital Fund to repay the loan over a 20-year period to prevent direct precept increases.
The project will not only accommodate more burials and cremations, but will serve as a place for remembrance, reflection, and a sense of connection to the past. Most importantly, the project will contribute to the overall well-being of the community, with planting schemes to encourage and support local wildlife and flora.