Plans for Gateshead natural burial ground between Crawcrook and Prudhoe
It citied figures from the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICM), which it said had "estimated that within the next five to 10 years, 30% of UK local authorities will have run out of burial space.""These calculations only consider current rates of burial and do not allow for the increasing number of total deaths arising from the nationally expanding population and ageing population nor shortages of burial space in neighbour council areas," the application added.The plans state the new grounds would contain between 18,871 to 22,287 plots, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.They also said natural burial grounds "promote natural landscape" by using native foliage to encourage habitats for wildlife, and use natural memorials such as trees or wooden markers.Four similar burial grounds have opened in the North East over the last 20 years, the application said, which are located at:Seven Penny Meadow, DurhamBelsay Woodland Burials, NorthumberlandNorthumberland Woodland Burials, NorthumberlandBlue House Woodland Burials, DurhamGateshead Council received the application on 24 April, which is awaiting a decision from council planners.
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