Decision due on expanding cemetery onto much-loved farm

A decision is due on whether to allow South Bristol Cemetery to expand onto meadows used by Yew Tree Farm.

Bristol City Council wants to convert some of the meadows, which it owns, into a graveyard as the city is running out of space for burial plots.

The council wants to convert some meadows into a graveyard as the city is running out of space for burial plots.

The expansion plan has sparked concern that the species-rich grassland would be dug up and damaged by the new burial plots, and the farm could struggle to stay afloat without the meadows used for grazing.

Meanwhile the council must legally provide enough burial space.

Councillors voted down the cemetery plans in September – photo: Rob Browne

In September, Yew Tree Farm was given a temporary reprieve as councillors on the development control B committee decided to delay their decision on the expansion plan.

Councillors said they were expecting more information about alternative burial sites.

However 11 weeks later, no details have come from council bosses on whether they have looked elsewhere in Bristol.

A report to the development control B committee, ahead of a meeting on Wednesday, November 29, said a future pandemic would add to already burgeoning demand.

The report said: “The council has very limited resilience for future pandemics or other similar events. The council is responsible for a growing, diverse community and it’s essential that it provides the necessary infrastructure to accommodate all citizens who will encounter bereavement at some point.

“Alongside personal choice for burials a number of faiths do not allow cremation and require provision of burial space to meet their religious requirements. These include Orthodox Jews, Muslims and the Greek Orthodox Church. There is clearly a need for additional burial space within the city.”

The council is legally responsible for providing enough burial space within the city’s limits, particularly for certain religions which do not allow cremations.

The law could change within the decade, but Bristol might also run out of burial space before that happens.

Another argument is that if an alternative site were found for a new cemetery, this would mean losing an even larger amount of green space than expanding onto the farm.

This is because as well as burial plots, car parking and toilets would also be needed.

The report added: “A completely new development would result in loss of a larger area of green space to provide the commensurate infrastructure and facilities than those required to expand the existing cemetery provision.

“Facilities available at the existing site include car parking, a chapel, public toilets, reception and welfare facilities for staff.”

Yew Tree Farm in Bedminster Down, where Bristol City Council wants to expand South Bristol Cemetery – photo: Sarah MacDonald

Council ecologists claim that the meadows, which are protected from development as a Site of Nature Conservation Interest, have been poorly managed by Yew Tree Farm.

They say that bramble and scrub have been growing on the meadows. However the alleged ecological damage has been disputed by the farm as well as environmental campaigners.

Avon Wildlife Trust, which is objecting to the expansion, said in a statement to the council: “Yew Tree Farm is an immensely rich wildlife habitat supporting a wide range of species including plants, bats and birds that are increasingly scarce in surrounding areas.

“The wildlife value depends on the continuation of sympathetic extensive grazing, and the grazed area needs to be large enough for this to remain commercially viable.”

During the September meeting, Catherine Withers, whose family has farmed the land at Yew Tree Farm since 1967, said the expansion could spell the end of the business.

The council however said she was made aware of the cemetery plan years ago and has no “legal right or interest” over the land.

Main photo: Danica Priest 

Read next:

• Yew Tree Farm to be protected under new plans
• ‘Tackling the housing crisis and climate crisis are not mutually exclusive’
• Ancient hedgerow destroyed at Bristol’s last working farm

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