THE refurbishment of a crematorium is likely to cost £750,000 more than originally planned - because the cremators are too big for the existing building.

Bradford Council had initially planned to spend £2 million on a refurbishment of Oakworth Crematorium, which would include installing a new, more environmentally friendly cremator.

But in a report released by the Council yesterday it was revealed that the works are now more likely to cost £2,750,000.

The refurbishment was part of the Council’s £17 million bereavement strategy, which will see the crematoria at Nab Wood and Scholemoor closed and replaced with two new crematoria built at sites that are yet to be revealed.

It will also include an extension to the Muslim burial ground at Scholemoor.

The Council says that its existing crematoria are all working between four and five years beyond their recommended life span, and are in need of urgent investment.

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The Authority’s decision making Executive will receive an update on the plans next Tuesday, including news of major changes to the Oakworth scheme - which was originally going to be a simple refurbishment of the existing building.

The changes are needed because the existing building is too small to fit the new cremators.

A report going to members says: “Following receipt of standard dimension details from cremator manufacturers it became clear at an early stage that ceiling heights within the existing crematory/office space were inadequate to house new cremators.

“Analysis of the required structural change to lift both ceiling and roof heights determined that demolition and rebuilding of the crematory would be more cost efficient as well as reducing the area of surrounding land to be incorporated to house the new equipment. However, the extent of this additional building work has increased the project costs.”

It says the existing meeting room and chapel will remain in place, and that the new facilities will include a separate entrance and exit, a glazed “Winter Garden” area, improved landscaping and traffic flows as well as a redesigned parking area.

The new building will also have space to house a second cremator if demand increases.

Executive members will be told that the changes to the Oakworth plans are “essential” and be asked to approve the new cost estimates.

A planning application for the new Oakworth Crematorium is expected to be submitted in the coming weeks.

The facility, on Slack Lane, currently carries out between 600 and 650 cremations a year.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Executive Member for Healthy People and Places, said: “It makes sense to make the most of this opportunity to make a massive improvement to all the facilities at Oakworth as well as installing a modern and environmentally-friendly cremator.

“Attending a funeral is a sad experience for anyone but if we can create more pleasant and practical surroundings at Oakworth, then at least we will be doing the best we can for those who are saying farewell to their loved ones .”