Plans for a natural burial ground on grazing land which could provide nearly 4,000 burial plots in Congleton have been meet with objections.

Mr Lionel Cox has applied to Cheshire East Council for the allowance of natural burials on current grazing land at Heather Bank Farm, on Congleton Edge Road, Congleton.

The total land involved in this planning application is approximately 6.8

acres which would equate to the potential of approximately 3,774 burial

plots and approximately 550 new trees being planted.

The design and access statement, which was submitted to support the application stated that the surrounding grounds would be "visibly beneficial and comforting" to the visitors of the natural burial ground.

At the time of publishing this article, the application had 13 objections submitted to Cheshire East.

A resident who lives at Lilac Cottage, on Congleton Edge Road, commented: "Congleton Edge is a single-track road, with limited passing places that are often occupied by walkers' cars using them as parking places.

"We feel that the increase in traffic for burials and subsequent mourners' visits will greatly impact the already difficult traffic situation.

"We have been stuck and have had to reverse long distances due to drivers who are unable to reserve and manoeuvre their cars safely. Problematic extra traffic already exists due to clients visiting Blissland

at Heather Bank Farm.

"More traffic from a burial business at Heather Bank Farm of this scale will be completely inappropriate to this single track and poorly maintained road.

"There are deep ditches running down the side of the Congleton Edge Road, drivers of cars and lorries who are not aware of these ditches often end up getting stuck in them and have to wait for a recovery

vehicle resulting in the road being closed - even to emergency vehicles."

A resident who lived on Copperhill Road and resided "very close" to the location, said: " The proposal is totally inappropriate. Congleton Edge is one of the town's few areas of natural beauty which supports wildlife likely to be adversely affected.

"The road to the area is only single track and in bad weather almost impassable. Any increase in traffic will increase risk of collisions which

emergency services will struggle to access. Not to mention increase pollution.

"The ridiculously vast amount of graves proposed will undoubtedly tarnish the beautiful landscape.

"Anybody lucky enough to live in the few properties up there should not be subject to the threat of such plans and approval would be unfair to the rest of those residents.

"There are much more suitable, sensible, accessible and far less precious locations for such a site in other areas of the town."

The design and access statement claimed that there was "easy" access and egress from the site via Congleton Edge Road which is owned by Cheshire East Council.

There are two onsite car parks; one which accommodates

approximately thirty vehicles of plastic grid construction with stone

infill and the other for five vehicles is of concrete grid construction with

soil and grass infill.

The site covered by this application is currently private land and is

surrounded by open fields, woodland and one adjacent roadway.

The natural burial ground would be embellished with Rowan, Oak and

Bamboo and enhanced with natural British wildflowers.

Residents have until 24 December to submit their comments on the application, which can be viewed here.

The application is currently scheduled to go before Cheshire East's Strategic Planning Board on 27 January 2021.