Plans to use neighbour’s garden for parish churchyard extension
A village near Sleaford is looking to extend the graveyard next to its parish church.
Silk Willoughby Parish Council has been offered the chance to purchase a piece of land so that it can extend the graveyard of St Denis’ Church.
An application has been made to North Kesteven District Council for planning and listed building consent to change the use of a parcel of private garden linked to Number 1 London Road.
The 369.6 square metre rectangular plot is not located within a conservation area, but the proposed site will become part of a listed building site and has other listed buildings nearby, namely the church and the old rectory.
Coun Louise Roberts, chairman of Silk Willoughby Parish Council, explains in supporting documents: “The churchyard is all but full and a local resident has made this offer to us. The parish council met and unanimously agreed to this proposal.
“The proposed land extension would be beside the current churchyard, so this seems like an opportunity not to miss as there is no other land available in the village either for sale or as ideal as this.”
She said the proposed graveyard would be created and maintained by the parish council, adding: “The seller is very keen and so are the parish council to get this project started as soon as possible.”
According to documents the proposed site will retain all existing hedge lines, with new hedging along the new boundaries to Number 1 London Road. The site would be accessed from the existing church yard by a new, black powder coated metal, double hand gate with scrolls, to match an existing hand gate at the front of church.
In their application they state: “The the proposals are of a standard which is sympathetic to the area and the proposal will have no adverse impact on any adjacent listed buildings.”
Public comments should eb with the district council by October 25.