Green burial site opposed

RENEWED efforts to transform an area of Martlesham woodland into a green burial site have today met fresh opposition.

An area of woodland off Mill Lane has been earmarked for the site, although Martlesham parish council and some residents have already opposed the moves.

Two similar schemes in the past have both been thrown out, but a new bid has now been made to set up an area that would include around 30 plots.

The application is being put forward by the Brittain family, of Martlesham, who have owned the woodland since the 1930s.

The idea of the scheme is to regenerate and restock the woodland by offering families the chance to plant a tree on the resting-place of their loved one.

Also included in the plans is a 20-space car park, an access road and a toilet block. This would involve the removal of some trees and hedgerows, although the exact amount has yet to be confirmed.

The parish council is objecting to the plans on the basis that they appear to be "destructive rather than restorative".

The council has expressed the concern that removing trees to make space for plots would have a "detrimental affect on the existing wildlife".

Various bird species and also the endangered Silver Studded Blue butterfly are thought to be inhabitants of the woodland.

Martlesham resident, John Nayler, of Mill Lane, is also against the plans. He has circulated a letter of objection among some of his friends urging them to sign it and send it to Suffolk Coastal district council, who will decide the fate of the application.

He said: "The main concern is the affect this could have on the wildlife of the area. I've got nothing against green burial sites but I would like to see the wildlife taken into account."

Similar applications for the site, which adjoins an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a county wildlife site, were turned down in October 2001 and December 2000.