Lib Dems propose way forward on cemeteries

8.00.00am GMT Mon 3rd Mar 2008

Leeds Lib Dem council group leader Cllr Richard Brett is today announcing progress on the issue of cemetery provision in Leeds.

The need to find more space in Leeds for people to bury their loved ones has been an issue of growing prominence in recent years. A lack of burial provision for Muslims is a particularly pressing aspect of the issue.

Cllr Brett is proposing that a new small site should be developed at Whinmoor Grange. This would be a multi-faith cemetery with a specific area reserved for Muslim burials.

In 2006 the Executive Board agreed to reject the previous administration's policy for a single large cemetery to accommodate new burials. Labour's plans proposed a single large site at Whinmoor that would have occupied an area the size of approximately 40 football pitches (46 acres).

Instead an approach was agreed to develop a series of small sites in different parts of the city. Administration parties agreed that this would be more likely to satisfy the needs of Leeds' diverse communities.

An extension to Harehills Cemetery at Green View Mount had been previously proposed as a means of addressing the immediate shortage of Muslim burial sites. Cllr Brett is today calling for this proposal to be scrapped due to the high costs such a project would entail. An extension at Harehills would cost an estimated £2000 per burial plot, whereas at Whinmoor it would only cost £20.

Cllr Richard Brett (Lib Dem, Burmantofts and Richmond Hill) said:

"We have already rejected the previous administration's plans for a massive 46 acre site at Whinmoor as we believe that a series of smaller sites for all faiths around the city would better suit the city's needs.

"I am proposing today that the best way forward for all parties is for a new multi-faith site at Whinmoor Grange. A specific area of this ought to be reserved for the Muslim community. This will help us deal with the issue of the lack of space for Muslim burials and provide a first step towards ensuring long term provision for the rest of the city."

Cllr Alan Taylor, (Lib Dem, Gipton and Harehills) said:

"Whilst expanding Harehills Cemetery has previously been suggested as a means of increasing the burial spaces available to Muslims, there are huge cost implications associated with such a proposal. This makes it an unattractive option and I think we ought to rule it out."