Larne council dismisses crematorium plans

Newtownabbey Council is to investigate the potential for providing a crematorium at a site on the Doagh Road, and contacted the Larne chamber to gauge interest in contributing to the project.

But local councillors have dismissed the idea, with Ald Winston Fulton claiming: “We have enough of a burden trying to get the cemetery up and running, and I think that is what people want to see.”

At the latest development committee meeting, Ald Roy Beggs asked chief executive Geraldine McGahey if she was aware how many local residents were choosing cremation over burial. While she did not have these figures to hand, Mrs McGahey said that while the “vast majority” of residents opted for burials, a “growing number” of people were now choosing cremation.

Ald Beggs proposed that the council should not get involved in these plans, which was seconded by Councillor Gregg McKeen and passed by members.