Mepal Outdoor Centre set for new lease of life as a crematorium and woodland burial site

Major plans have been approved which will see the derelict Mepal Outdoor Centre transformed into a crematorium, woodland burial area and pet cemetery.

A special full meeting of East Cambridgeshire District Council on Friday evening approved an outline business plan for the move, which council leader Councillor Anna Bailey said would transform the eyesore and bring it back into use.

However, not everyone is happy with the plans and within hours of the announcement of the proposed crematorium an online petition was launched to keep the site as a leisure centre, with nearly 1,000 people signing in less than 48 hours.

Coun Bailey explained that despite huge efforts to retain Mepal Outdoor Centre as a leisure facility no one had been found to take it on, restore it and run it as such.

"Of course we are disappointed that despite every effort we were unable to find an operator to run the outdoor centre. We had thought we had found someone willing to take it on, but when they looked into it further they realised the full extent of what would be needed to re-open it, and it was too much for them," she said.

Discussions have been ongoing behind the scenes for an alternative use, with Coun Bailey adding: "The site cannot be left derelict indefinitely. There has been much made of the fact that we have been discussing the idea of a crematorium for the site in secret.

"But provision of a crematorium for the district was in our corporate plan 2017-19, however it was removed when we realised just how these national crematorium companies operate, and we couldn't risk them putting in an identikit proposal and stymying our plans."

Currently people living in East Cambs have to travel either to Cambridge, King's Lynn or March for cremations.

Coun Bailey said the new facility, which will be run by the district council's own trading arm - East Cambs Street Scene - will offer a more local option.

She also said the project will be carefully implemented to protect and enhance the significant biodiversity and ecology that exists on the site. And she said there will still be opportunity to include some leisure use for the site.

Coun Bailey said: "The proposal will not only offer a sustainable use for the area, but provide certainty for local people who have been concerned about the levels of anti-social behaviour at the site, including two arson attacks, the first of which caused the closure of the centre in December 2016."

The outline plan includes the creation of eight jobs, with recruitment focussed on local people.

Coun Bailey concluded: “The site is a beautiful area, home to a variety of important wildlife, and rich in biodiversity. It has a special atmosphere, which will give support to bereaved families, and space for quiet reflection including the lake and other natural assets as well as a covered cloistered area and adjacent flower walkway. There will also be a woodland burial area, which utilises the natural landscape of the site.

"The next phase of work on the project will involve the development of a full landscape plan for the site that will include exploring access for fishing and other recreational activities."

It's predicted the crematorium will provide income for the council from year one but Coun Bailey said there is still a long way to go before it is up and running.

Features of the crematorium will include a 125 seat chapel, plus a smaller 12 seat chapel; 80 plus car parking spaces, a separate pet cemetery, plus a modular functions building to support the woodland burial area.

Coun Bailey promised: "The council will continue to communicate with residents as this poignant project moves forward."