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Exhumation of 300 bodies
by Michael Byrne19/ 3/2008
DEVELOPERS may have to move up to 300 graves to build a new community centre in the grounds of an Ashton church.
Councillors approved plans for the 4C Community Centre at Christ Church, off Taunton Road, despite fears about exhumation of bodies.
Eric Wright, Ashton Civic Society chairman, said: "This building is inappropriate for a graveyard. People will be upset when they find out that bodies are being moved. The remains of people won’t be in the same condition as when they were buried.
"I would be worried that people would be intimidated by those using the centre and put off going to church. Music from the centre could disturb church services and I’m also concerned about the loss of green space which is one of the few nice ones left in Ashton"
Another society member Elizabeth Travis said: "My husband I have family buried in the graveyard, one of which is in a war grave. We just don’t know what the situation will be.
"We suffer a lot with vandalism and we’re worried this will become rife once the centre is built."
Councillor Doreen Dickinson said: "I am concerned about the green space being taken by this development."
Jonathan Hindle, chairman of the 4 C Community centre group, said no war graves would be affected by the development.
He added: "Moving graves is an emotional subject and we will handle this as sensitively as possible.
"When we know which graves need to be moved we’ll inform relatives. We have to go through a legal process for this and people can object.
"The parochial church council backs the scheme which will be for the whole community. We hope to involve local young people and stop the vandalism.
"Churches around the country have benefited from schemes like this and I’m sure it won’t put people off coming to church. The green space is nice but only used by dog owners who let their pets foul it."
There will also be extra parking and a new children’s play area.
Most recent 2 of 5 user comments
I have read your comments and am sorry to tell you that with this Council, Money and greed is indeen more important than any respect for the dead !!!!
One interesting point on this matter is ......Am I correct in thinking that if someone is buried they have to pay the Council for that particular plot of land that they are buried in ????? I THINK THEY DO !!!! (never heard of free buriels have you ????), well thinking along those lines ....... if the Council do go ahead with this scheme then they should refund the costs incurred by the incumbents of these graves to their relatives !!!!! THERE MUST BE A POINT OF LAW IN THIS !!!! I REALLY THINK SOMEONE WITH THE CORRECT KNOWLEGE SHOULD LOOK DEEPLY INTO THIS !!! COME ON TAMESIDE COUNCIL, IF YOU GO AHEAD WITH THIS PLAN GIVE THE MONEY BACK !!!!!
29/03/2008 at 02:51
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