Latest on council’s search for the site of a new £7.5m crematorium in Sunderland

Council bosses have revealed that the search for a site for a new £7.5million crematorium in Sunderland is still ongoing – with any final decisions yet to be made.

The facilities at the present Bishopwearmouth Crematorium, just off Chester Road, have been deemed to be outdated and the council has begun looking for a new location.

The current crematorium dates back to the late 1930s, although construction work was delayed by the Second World War and was not completed until 1951.

The council had conducted initial groundwork studies at a site in Gilly Law, which received strong community feedback and the site has now been ruled out of the planning process until further notice.

Councillor Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, confirmed that the search for a new crematorium site is still underway and that no decisions have been made.

Cllr Miller said: “Our city needs a new purpose-built crematorium.

“Anyone who has attended a service at Bishopwearmouth Crematorium will be aware of the difficulties posed by the existing provision – the parking, the proximity of entry and exit points, and the single chapel.

”As part of last year’s capital budget and this council’s ongoing commitment to investing in our city, we agreed an allocation of £7.5m towards a new crematorium.

“Studies are underway on identifying possible sites and I must stress that no preferred location has been confirmed.

“As and when sites are looked at there have to be technical studies, such as on ground conditions, and many other factors must be taken into consideration before they could become a preferred location.

“These studies on identifying a preferred site are continuing and there are no current plans for siting the new crematorium at Gilley Law.

”Once we have identified a preferred location, we will as a listening and talking council look to consult with the community.”

The council approved spending plans for 2021/22 on March 3, including a combined total of £9.17million for investments in the city’s bereavement services.

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