Agenda item

John Wade, Parks and Open Spaces Manager

Information on proposals for Camberwell Old Cemetery.

Deborah McKenzie from public realm updated the meeting on proposed works at Camberwell Old Cemetery. Deborah explained that the council looked after 3 cemeteries in the borough, Camberwell Old, Camberwell New and Nunhead. All 3 were running out of space for burial. Deborah introduced Paul Harrison, a landscape architect working for the council, to explain some of the long terms changes which would be taking place at Camberwell Old cemetery this year.

Paul explained that an area had been identified on the south side of the cemetery alongside Wood Vale, near to the Lewisham boundary. This had been an area of public burial up to the 1920s and 1940s with no real monuments and no rights to graves. Paul explained that traditionally soil was brought into cemeteries and placed over the top of existing graves so further burials could continue on the raised level. This method had taken place on the site pre-war. It was proposed that this method be used again in the area identified. This would require some removal of trees but a number of trees in that location were of poor quality and new tree planting would be done. The work was planned for late summer and would last approximately 12 weeks, with a new access to the cemetery required off Wood Vale for lorries. The proposals were subject to planning approval which was currently being applied for.

The chair asked how people would have their say on the proposals. Paul explained that this would be through the planning process. The application had been submitted and was being validated, once validated the statutory processes for consultation would commence. The application would be available on the council website for people to comment on. It was likely that the application would be determined by the main planning committee.

Paul and Deborah took questions from the floor relating to: the number of trees affected and the loss of biodiversity. Paul explained that 20 small and 14 mature trees would be affected but that around 80 new trees would be planted. The loss of biodiversity would be compensated for by planting native shrubs and the retention of dead wood.