Funeral directors have thrown their weight behind plans to develop a new crematorium near Congleton.

Emery Planning, on behalf of Congleton Crematorium Limited, has applied for permission to construct a crematorium on land off the A534 in Brereton.

The plans have received the support of 11 local funeral directors, including Congleton-based Alan Finneron.

He said: "I have worked in the funeral directing profession in the Congleton area for the past 35 years and believe that this is a much-needed facility and will significantly improve the welfare of bereaved families."

Also backing the plans are the team at Larvin and Clegg Funeral Directors as well as the likes of Three Shires Funeral Directors, Co-op Funeralcare and John Garside & Son.

 Reverend Ian Enticott, Rector of All Saints Church in Congleton, has also voiced his support.

He said: "There is a great need for a modern facility close by the town."

Meanwhile, Stephen Hodgkinson, leader of New Life Church on West Road, said the crematorium would be 'a much-needed facility for the people of Congleton'.

Site plan for the proposed crematorium near Congleton (Credit: LHC Design)

Currently, bereaved families in Congleton have to travel to Macclesfield Crematorium or further afield to Bradwell, Crewe, Stoke or Northwich.

Crematorium developer Elegy say the plans put forward would provide a 'less hurried, more local' option. 

They add that the facility in Macclesfield is 'tired and outdated', holding seven or eight funerals a day which are 'often described as conveyor belt experience'.

Following a public exhibition held back in May, Elegy has been working to improve its proposals, including the addition of a cycle path and new bus stops at the entrance.

The proposed chapel would seat 100 people and hold just four funerals per day.

Elegy say this would enable better spacing between funeral services and a less rushed funeral experience for families.

Furthermore, a sustainability assessment has confirmed that the crematorium's emissions will be net zero from the first year of operation with an estimated added benefit of a saving of 70 Tonnes Co2 each year by road users no longer having to travel to a crematorium further away. 

The application was received by Cheshire East Council on Wednesday, October 29.

A public consultation runs until Thursday, December 4.

To view the proposals in full, head to the Cheshire East planning portal and search for the application reference number, 25/4178/FUL.