IT was standing room only at Fladbury Village Hall where a proposal to build a crematorium was discussed.

The scheme by the Westerleigh Group to build the crematorium next to the A44 at Fladbury Cross was debated at the annual Parish meeting on Monday evening, chaired by Fladbury Parish Council chairman Ian Southcott.

More than 100 residents attended the meeting that included the chairman giving a short presentation on the scheme, where it was explained it is currently at the consultation stage.

The chairman said the parish council would be meeting next week to discuss its formal response to the scheme, to be submitted to Wychavon District Council before planners make a decision on the application.

Those gathered in the hall were then invited to speak, to give their opinions on the scheme, and various responses were applauded.

Pam Stubbs, a Fladbury resident and school governor said: “As responsible citizens we have to look at all the issues.

“Do we need a crematorium somewhere in the region? Probably the answer is yes.

“Is the crossroads a hazard? Definitely yes.

“It is going to increase traffic through the village and will that traffic be a danger? Yes.

“Will it increase pollution? Yes.

“Do we want the crematorium at that site? No.”

Another resident, Sue Kind, said her research found Westerleigh’s other crematoriums were holding numerous cremations each day.

“They are a seven day a week operation,” she said.

“They are a commercial operation to make profit at the end of the day - they are not here for our benefit.

“I would say, think of all the traffic, and the effect on the people living nearby.”

However resident Mike Dunning said that the land could be bought by anybody, and be developed.

“The crematorium may be the best of two evils - it might be better than something else.”

A secret ballot was then held asking whether residents were for or against the crematorium.

Of the 103 respondents, 70 were opposed to the scheme, 18 in favour, with 15 having no strong feeling either way on the plan.

Steve Bucknell, development director of Westerleigh Group said: “We have spoken to many residents in the Wychavon district, many of whom live in Fladbury, who recognise that a new crematorium would provide a much needed facility for the local community.

“This would be a more accessible funeral service option for families throughout the Vale of Evesham and Pershore areas.

“It would result in less traffic on the roads overall because of the reduced distances involved in travelling to the new crematorium.

“The crematorium is not located in Fladbury village, but at Fladbury Cross. Our transport statement clearly states that funerals will be held outside rush hour and that the traffic impact on Fladbury village would be minimal.

“We would welcome further, constructive dialogue with Fladbury Parish Council about issues such as directional signage to help encourage visitors to the crematorium to use routes which do not pass through Fladbury.

“Fladbury village will not be associated with the crematorium, which will serve the communities through Pershore and the Vale of Evesham – who currently have to travel outside of the district.

“We welcome the report that a third of the Fladbury residents who came to the parish council meeting either support or have no objection to our plans.

“Many hundreds more people who live in Fladbury, and who chose not to attend the meeting, will undoubtedly feel the same way.

“We are confident that our proposal has the support of people throughout Wychavon.”