8
CALDERDALE MBC
WARDS AFFECTS:
ALL
COMMUNITY SERVICES SCRUTINY PANEL
DATED:
25th JANUARY 2007
SUBJECT:
ADDITIONAL CAR PARKING –
PARK WOOD CREMATORIUM
(Original item at the request of Councillor Wainwright
in accordance with Rule 13A of the Overview and
Scrutiny Procedures Rule)
REPORT OF:
HEAD OF SERVICE – RECREATION, SPORT AND
STREETSCENE
1.
ISSUE
1.1 This report has been prepared additionally to the report submitted to
Scrutiny on 11th January 2007.
1.2 A review has been undertaken on the suggestion made by Councillor
Wainwright that the extension parking facilities should be located
towards the north-western area of the crematorium building.
1.3 Attached as Appendix 1 is the original report – the Layout plan has
been additionally amended to consider the above suggestion and to
note the following additional comments:
2.

The area “dot matrix” shows the area known as Chapel
Lawn, which has been used for the strewing of, cremated
remains and the area is lined with memorials.

The area with “x” marks also has memorials located, which
would be difficult to re-locate as cremated remains are
strewn on or near to the memorials. The memorials are
approximately 6-8 feet apart so access to the land would be
extremely difficult.
NEED FOR A DECISION
2.1 Members are asked to consider this additional information the attached
layout plan, and the difficulties that would be experienced should this
area be designated for additional car parking.
Appendix 1
CALDERDALE MBC
WARDS EFFECTED:
ALL
COMMUNITY SERVICES SCRUTINY PANEL
DATE:
11th JANUARY 2007
SUBJECT:
ADDITIONAL CAR PARKING –
PARK WOOD CREMATORIUM
(Item at the request of Councillor Wainwright in
accordance with Rule 13A of the Overview and
Scrutiny Procedures Rules)
REPORT OF:
Head of Service – Recreation, Sport & Streetscene
1.
ISSUE
1.1
This report has been prepared following a question under Rule 13A
from Councillor Wainwright.
1.2
A full review of option has been undertaken and advice sought from
CMBC Highway Engineers as to the feasibility and best location for
any additional facilities.
2.
NEED FOR A DECISION
2.1
To give further guidance and consider the implications of the
provision of additional car parking arrangements at Park Wood
Crematorium.
3.
RECOMMENDATIONS
3.1
Members are asked to consider the report, its implications both
financial and the future needs of the service.
4.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
4.1
The current car parking arrangements (see Appendix A) remain
basically as the original concept/design in 1956. Since that time car
travelling to funerals has changed. More and more use is made of
private vehicles as opposed to using those provided by Funeral
Directors. Additional as the number of funerals has increased visits
made to the Gardens of Remembrance has also increased. All this
has contributed to what are now inadequate car parking facilities at
the Crematorium.
4.2
The current car park holds some 45 cars, which probably equates to
some 90 mourners. But one must bear in mind that cars from one
funeral service are often present when the next one arrives.
4.3
From the information given above it is obvious that the current
arrangements are unsatisfactory and do cause inconvenience to
mourners especially during inclement weather conditions. A further
consideration being that the further away from the main building that
parking occurs the longer it takes for mourners to walk to the chapel
– this delays the start of the funeral service and with the
consequence that following funerals are then also delayed.
5.
CURRENT AND FUTURE NEEDS
5.1
We have looked at various options for an increase in car parking
arrangements at the site.
5.2
Together with advice from Highways Engineering we looked at the
possibility of widening the exit drive at the top side of the
crematorium. The land slopes up from the current roadway and
would need a substantial retaining wall with adequate drainage.
Further this would mean mourner walking the full length of the
circular drive to reach the entrance to the chapel.
5.3
The preferred option (Appendix A – shaded area) would be to extend
the existing car park along the line of the only available flat land. By
utilising this portion of the existing grassed land will increase the car
parking capacity by an additional 35 – 40 spaces making in total
approximately 80 – 90 spaces marked out in individual bays. See
Appendix A which shows the existing car park with the suggested
extension (hatched lines) immediately to the right hand side.
However this will also entail substantial drainage works as the slope
on the land acts as natural drain for the woodlands. There is also a
possibility that the Environment Agency would seek to place
restrictions on any site for possibilities of oil spillage etc. Trial holes
would need to be dug prior to any works to seek the extent of the
clay, which appears to make up most of this land. Further planning
permission would need to be obtained for change of Greenfield land –
there may be additional requirements placed under planning consent
for such works. Finally the edge of any car park would need to have
safety fencing, as the slope below the land – currently wooded – is
very steep.
5.4
Currently no adequate provision within the existing car park
arrangements is made for those drivers with a disability or with
passengers with disability.
6.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
6.1
As members are aware there is currently a rolling investment
programme in operation for both Park Wood Crematorium and all
operational cemeteries. The programme for 2007 has just been
approved and works ordered that concentrate upon improving
facilities at Stoney Royd Cemetery in Halifax. This is largely to
resurface paths that have deteriorated.
6.2
The scale of works means that the car park extension was going to be
Included in an Investment Plan bid for 2011/2012 as part of a major
updating programme for the Crematorium.
6.3
From information received from Highways Engineering (initial
discussion findings only) would appear to indicate that a budget
figure of £100,000 is the likely cost of extending the current car park
to give adequate facilities under the majority of circumstances. That
additionally pre-marking of the existing car park, any extension and
with some restrictions on parking on the main entrance/exit drive will
alleviate the current congestion. It will also be possible to place
disability parking near to the chapel entrance.
ROSE WHEELER
GROUP DIRECTOR – COMMUNITY SERVICES
-----------------------------------------------------------------FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS REPORT CONTACT:
Brendan Mowforth
Head of Service, Recreation, Sport and Streetscene (01422 393201)
Paul Stubbs
Funeral Services Manager (01422 372293)