Cheshire East has given the go-ahead for a crematorium to be built on a field in Brereton.

The strategic planning board was unanimous in approving the proposal on a parcel of land at the junction of the A534 and Pitcher Lane on Wednesday, April 29.

The building will include a ceremony room with seating for 100 people and there will be parking for 92 vehicles.

Applicant Richard Evans, who has more than 30 years' experience of developing and operating crematoria, told councillors he now works independently.

"At my first crematorium at Malden, we charged the lowest local fees with a reputation for the highest standards," he said.

"We'd do the same here, especially as my family are from Congleton."

Mr Evans told the meeting there was a need for another crematorium, and this was a suitable location.

"Your bereavement services manager comments that Macclesfield runs at near capacity for six months of the year.

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"These pressures will only increase with a 23 per cent rise in deaths forecast by 2047," he said.

Mr Evans said a high demand could lead to a 'conveyor belt' experience.

"We would provide an hour, so people can have an individual service free from the sight of other funerals," he told the meeting.

Regarding location, he said there is no option but to build in the countryside away from settlements.

And highways officers had stated there would not be much increase in traffic on the roads with four funerals a day at off-peak times.

"We do not make speculative applications. Time has been spent looking for the right location to build and only in places where there is proven need," he told the committee.

Map of the development area in Brereton (Credit: CEC)

Congleton councillor Heather Seddon (Lab) moved the application be approved.

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She said: "It's on a bus route, there's quite a lot of landscaping and I accept that there is a need for more crematoria in the borough.

"It's well located, I think, so I can't think of any reason to refuse it."

Cllr Steve Edgar (Haslington, Con) said: "Having recently been to a cremation and experienced the conveyor belt and the upset people who were arriving and the upset people who were leaving sort of mingling together, it wasn't a good experience, as far as I'm concerned.

"So, I'm more than happy to second this.

"I think it's very appropriate and it's what is needed. We ain't going to stop people from dying."