Latest news with #MaryTemperton
BBC News
30-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Burials for Bracknell Forest pitch and putt course given go-ahead
A council's plan to use a pitch and putt area at a golf course for burial spaces has been given the final Forest Council's cabinet again approved using the area at Downshire Golf Complex to expand Easthampstead Park Crematorium and Cemetery for more than 1,000 burial spaces on leader Mary Temperton said that using the land was "not an easy decision" but it was found to be the only viable site of people opposed the scheme, arguing that the loss of the playing space would hinder sporting opportunities. The council's cabinet agreed to use the land last year but it was subject to a three-month holding period pending a potential legal Jefferies, the council's cabinet member for leisure, culture, public protection and democracy, said by current projections the authority would run out of burial space by next two-hectare (4.9-acre) plot could provide up to 1,138 full plots, 150 Muslim burial plots and 1,168 cremated remains plots and is expected to provide enough space for the borough for about 25 council will need to carry out an archaeological dig at the site, but that will take place over the winter so players can still use the course over the coming months. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Council helps Afghan residents fleeing home country
A Berkshire town will welcome 300 Afghan residents who have fled their home country in the coming months. Bracknell Forest Council is participating in the government's Afghan Resettlement Programme, which offers relocation to its citizens. Around 300 Afghans will be supported, with additional residents expected in the future. The authority said the programme would start in the spring and it does not yet know how many more residents will arrive, or when. Those being resettled worked for, or with, the UK government to support its mission in Afghanistan - or are considered vulnerable or in danger from the Taliban, which took control of the country in 2021. Many Afghans who worked to help the UK mission in Afghanistan, including in specialist units, have been granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK. They are also not classed as illegal immigrants, asylum seekers or refugees, the council said. The programme comes after the defence secretary, John Healey, said local authorities were "essential to make this vision a reality". Families will arrive in three groups and can stay up to nine months in their transitional accommodation, while searching for a permanent home. Leader of Bracknell Forest Council Mary Temperton said: "We have a long history of being kind, supportive and caring to people who have experienced trauma and turbulence in their lives, meaning they can no longer stay safely in their home country." Funding for the national scheme has come from the government and does not impact local council tax. The authority is also working with NHS Frimley to offer support to new patients in the area and explained the location of transitional accommodation would not be disclosed. Ms Temperton added Bracknell Forest needed "to play our part" by offering "safe and secure" homes to the new residents. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Council to buy more homes for refugees Refugee runner is Afghan women's 'voice for change' Council given money to house Afghan refugees Village meeting held ahead of arrival of Afghans Group's three-year mission to welcome refugee family Bracknell Forest Council
BBC News
07-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
Bracknell Forest Council joins scheme helping Afghan residents
A Berkshire town will welcome 300 Afghan residents who have fled their home country in the coming Forest Council is participating in the government's Afghan Resettlement Programme, which offers relocation to its 300 Afghans will be supported, with additional residents expected in the future. The authority said the programme would start in the spring and it does not yet know how many more residents will arrive, or when. Those being resettled worked for, or with, the UK government to support its mission in Afghanistan - or are considered vulnerable or in danger from the Taliban, which took control of the country in Afghans who worked to help the UK mission in Afghanistan, including in specialist units, have been granted indefinite leave to remain in the are also not classed as illegal immigrants, asylum seekers or refugees, the council programme comes after the defence secretary, John Healey, said local authorities were "essential to make this vision a reality". 'Play our part' Families will arrive in three groups and can stay up to nine months in their transitional accommodation, while searching for a permanent of Bracknell Forest Council Mary Temperton said: "We have a long history of being kind, supportive and caring to people who have experienced trauma and turbulence in their lives, meaning they can no longer stay safely in their home country."Funding for the national scheme has come from the government and does not impact local council authority is also working with NHS Frimley to offer support to new patients in the area and explained the location of transitional accommodation would not be Temperton added Bracknell Forest needed "to play our part" by offering "safe and secure" homes to the new residents. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
04-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Pitch and putt graveyard plans set to be approved
Plans to convert a golf course into a graveyard to address a shortage of burial spaces are set to be approved. Bracknell Forest Council is proposing to use the pitch and putt area at Downshire Golf Complex to expand Easthampstead Park Crematorium and Cemetery to provide more than 1,000 burial spaces. More than 400 residents have objected to the scheme, arguing that the loss of playing space would hinder the local sporting community. Paul Bidwell, cabinet member for economy and regeneration, admitted the plans were "emotional" but said council leaders "don't really have any alternative". The authority opted to use the land back in November after warnings that the borough would run out of burial spaces by mid-2025. If the planning application is approved it would mean the loss of the existing nine-hole pitch and putt course, used by more than 150 children a week. The two-hectares of land would provide a total of 1,173 full plots, as well as 150 Muslim burial plots and 1,168 cremated remains plots which is estimated to provide burial space for a further 25 to 30 years. The authority said it would build a new road within the cemetery to allow for access to the new graves, which would require the removal of some hedge. Under planning law, land used for leisure purposes should not normally be converted for different uses, unless it is replaced by an "improved facility" elsewhere. However, 27 letters of support have been received by the council on the scheme, arguing that the new space will be a "much-needed facility for the Muslim community", whose faith requires burial after death. Leader of the council Mary Temperton said: "It isn't just for the dead…it is for the living relatives, a place where you go and feel near." The proposal is set to be discussed by Bracknell Forest Councils' planning committee on Thursday. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Golf course space needed for graves, council says Pitch and putt graveyard plans spark criticism Allotment site could become graveyard Town's burial plots running out, council warns Bracknell Forest Council Local Democracy Reporting Service
