PLANS for a burial ground near Leominster has caused an outcry among residents living in Risbury, Humber and Stoke Prior.

The application, which was expected to be put before Risbury Parish Council this week, takes up 6.8acres of agricultural land.

The couple behind the plans, Mr. & Mrs Thomas of Risbury Court, suggest that 'a woodland burial ground is a new concept giving people an alternative final resting place and a natural and comfortable way to cope with bereavement'.

Additional reasons for the application allege that churchyards and burial grounds can no longer expand and that some people choose to be buried in the garden or on land they own.

Two meetings have already been held to discuss community concerns centred on major traffic congestion on a narrow county road already suffocated by public and school buses, delivery vehicles, milk tankers and stock wagons. The current speed limit is 60mph.

The site is scheduled for 5.1acres of burial ground and 1.7acres as a Garden of Remembrance, depth of burial will be between 4ft 6ins and 5ft in line with statutory practice.

All burials will be marked by a small simple tablet made from local stone. The area will also be used for scattering ashes and future management will be eventually transferred to the Woodland Trust.

Researchers acting on behalf of objectors have assessed available figures and project that the applied for 5.1 acres could house 5,000 plus graves, not just for locals.

In addition, research concludes that at approximately £1,000 per burial only, further expansion could prove to be a major commercial investment.

Following recent Government encouragement for farmers to diversify, concern is growing among the small communities in advance of Herefordshire Council discussions. These could be as soon as the end of the month.