Preferred locations for two crematoria sites in the district due to be announced in Spring

At a meeting of the Council's Executive today, members voted to remove Northcliffe Park in Shipley from a list of possible sites for the new crematoria, which which will replace two of the district's ageing facilities.

But it may be another few months before the Council announces if another of the proposed sites, Littlemoor Park in Queensbury, is spared from development.

At the meeting, the Council's leader said the rules about where crematoria can be built limited the number of replacement sites, and said it was important to look at all options, even if this proved unpopular.

But they said they said the Council would still prefer to build on a private site than on a park.

The Council was originally looking at three possible sites in the North of the district to replace Nab Wood Crematorium in Shipley. Northcliffe, which is now dropped from the list, and two private sites that have not been disclosed for confidentiality issues.

Two sites in the South of the district are being considered to replace the Scholemoor Crematorium are Littlemoor Park and a private site.

The meeting was told that "potentially insurmountable issues in forming safe access from a busy, steeply sloping road" had led to Northcliffe being removed from the list of three possible sites in the North.

The other two were much more suitable - Councillors were told.

The two sites in the South, Littlemoor and the private site, had only "low level constraints" to overcome if a crematorium were to be built on them.

New government regulations for what equipment is required at crematoria means it would not be possible for the Council to replace the existing sites at Nab Wood and Scholemoor.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, portfolio holder for Environment, Sport and Culture, said: "It became clear quite early on that Northcliffe had insurmountable issues that meant it needed to be removed from the list. There is a shortage of suitable sites in the district - we are highly restricted where we can build them.

"We would prefer to develop on private sites and our officers are progressing with those sites.

"Bereavement is something that affects us all at some point, and we need to make sure we are able to accommodate the funerals of people's loved ones in the district."

The committee voted to move ahead with viability studies and negotiations into the remaining four sites.

Officers told members that there would be appraisals into the four sites presented to the Council in April or May.

Council leader Susan Hinchcliffe said: "It is very difficult to find suitable sites in the district, so we have to consider all options.

"We have considered the options and removed Northcliffe, I'm sure the petitioners will be happy.

"We have to get this right as this is a service we all use at a time of tragedy. We have to make sure this service is easy for families to use."

On Tuesday at a meeting of the full Council, members will discuss a petition by Queensbury residents calling for Littlemoor Park to withdrawn from the list. Over 2,300 people have signed the petition so far.

The bereavement strategy also includes the refurbishment of Oakworth Crematorium and the expansion of the Muslim burial ground at Scholemoor.