Decision due on new crematorium for Mid Sussex

Proposed illustrative layout of the southern part of the site including the main building, car park and access

Hartmire Investments Ltd wants outline planning permission for a single-chapel crematorium and natural burial site north of Turners Hill Road.

Its application is due to be discussed by Mid Sussex District Council’s district planning committee on Thursday (December 17).

According to council officers the site already has a lawful consent as a natural burial ground, with subsequent approvals for a chapel building, maintenance building and extra car parking spaces.

However they feel the introduction of a complex access road and car parking would be a ‘considerable’ change to this countryside site, which would require extensive levelling and re-profiling of the topography.

The crematorium building would also have a floor area ‘considerably larger’ than the combined footprint of the permitted chapel and reception building.

They are recommending the committee refuse the application.

Turners Hill Parish Council has objected, stating: “Such a large building together with the car parking area and a far greater number of vehicle movements will undermine the rural character of the surrounding countryside and be a constant blight on our community.”