Standing room only at cemetery opposition meeting in Banstead

Opposition to plans for the cemetery on 25 acres of pastureland in Croydon Lane, Banstead, has snowballed since the proposal was publicised last week.

The issue is so controversial that 100 people had to stand at the meeting, as the about 100 seats at United Reformed Church in Woodmansterne Lane, Banstead, were already taken.

Danny Diodato, who leafleted homes and organised the meeting, said he had originally planned to discuss the plans submitted to Reigate and Banstead Council with a just few councillors.

But he said: "We have got half of Banstead here now. We decided to invite everybody because it is pretty scary what is being proposed.

"It’s very important to get as many objections as possible online. It really does count. The main point is the harm it is going to cause to the greenbelt because that’s what stops us from being a suburb of Purley or Sutton."

He said he personally believed that the developer was applying for a cemetery but trying to "get a crematorium in through the backdoor".

Cemeteries that retain the openness of the land are generally not covered by the strict regulations governing the greenbelt.

Reigate and Banstead Mayor Councillor Dr Lynne Hack said there was no overriding need for a cemetery in the area at the moment and it was not the appropriate location.

Coun Hack said: "It’s the Metropolitan greenbelt that prevents us being sprawled into London. It’s one of the narrowest bits of greenbelt in the country so it’s really a very, very precious small bit of greenbelt."

Surrey County Councillor Ken Gulati, who represents Banstead, Woodmansterne and Chipstead, said: "I don’t think there is anybody here in favour of the application. What we are here to discuss is how to oppose it."

Mike Sawyer, of Banstead Village Residents’ Association, said: "There are real problems with issues of openness, change of character, volume of traffic and appearance of the thing. It’s going to look more like a public car park than an open green field."

Andrew Compton, from Hengest Farm in Woodmansterne Lane, said he currently occupies the land on a "peppercorn rent" and has an annual grazing licence until June.

But Mr Compton said: "I want to tell you all here and now that I have nothing to do with this application."

Councillor Eddy Humphreys, Mayor Lynne Hack and Councillor Ken Gulati

He said the plans for the cemetery and chapel were more likely to preserve the "openness and quietness" of the area than a noisy sports field or other potential developments.

He said: "For me it’s a preferable application than for it to be left alone, divided up into silly little plots and sold online."

Jenny Farley, of Chalmers Road, told the meeting that as many people as possible need to object on the grounds of the greenbelt and the fact that Croydon Lane, which is adjacent to the site, is already so busy.

She said: "We have got a game plan now. What we must not do is sink into apathy."

Resident Danny Diodato, who organised the meeting 

After the meeting, Diana Bowes of Cunningham Road said: "That road is narrow, there’s lots of traffic.

"It’s an important road and a lot of emergency services need to use it. It’s a genuine concern."

The developer's design statement promises to provide visitors with "an experience of beauty and tranquillity" and introduce wildflowers, trees, shrubs and a pond to offset loss of habitat.

It said: "The development of the site is deemed to very much enhance, rather than detract from, the local ecology and provide new habitats."

A council spokeswoman said the deadline for comments is Tuesday, May 6, but views submitted after that date would also be taken into consideration.

See the application, with reference number 14/00440/CU, at www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk.