£5m Newtownabbey crematorium project moves to ‘procurement stage’

An artist's impression of the new crematorium on the Doagh Road site.An artist's impression of the new crematorium on the Doagh Road site.
An artist's impression of the new crematorium on the Doagh Road site. | Other 3rd Party
Plans for a new £5m crematorium in Newtownabbey have been progressed at a remote meeting of the borough council.

The meeting last week behind closed doors with Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s chief executive Jacqui Dixon was attended by party group leaders, DUP mayor Alderman John Smyth and Independent Ballyclare Councillor Michael Stewart.

The crematorium was listed on the agenda to be discussed in committee.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

After the meeting, a spokesperson for Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council said: “The decision was taken to progress to the procurement stage for the proposed crematorium at the Doagh Road site.”

A business plan will now be produced to move the development forward.

Commenting after the meeting, Glengormley SDLP Councillor Noreen McClelland said: “Hopefully in the future there will be a crematorium on the Doagh Road.”

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council already has outline planning permission for a new state of the art crematorium at Doagh Road, Newtownabbey.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Previously, it had been suggested that work on the new crematorium would commence this month and be completed in May 2021.

However, DUP Threemilewater Councillor Stephen Ross has urged the local authority to “step back” and talk to residents who will be affected by siting a crematorium at this location.

“I would like them to stop, step back, get a business plan in place, talk to residents who will be affected and if they are happy, then move forward.”

He said that he knows families who have moved from the area as a result of the plans.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He also queried the timing of the crematorium being placed on the agenda at a time when “emotions are running high” and he criticised what he described as a “lack of engagement with the community and a lack of engagement with councillors” on the proposal.

Cllr Ross stated: “There was no need for that to come forward any time soon. There was no reason for it to come forward until it could be scrutinised properly and to have debate.

“That is what I have been elected to do. That is what the people of Threemilewater have asked me to do.”

He has also called for a business plan and a full breakdown of finances on the cost of the new crematorium.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

When the new facility is up and running, it is expected to be available for cremations to people across Northern Ireland.

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter.

--

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper whenever you are able to do so.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper when you can safely.

You can also enjoy unlimited access to the best news from across Northern Ireland and the UK by subscribing to newsletter.co.uk

With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Follow us
©National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice