Reading allotments to be turned back into burial space

Burials and cremations in the town primarily take place at Henley Road Cemetery in Caversham, which is managed by Reading Borough Council.

While the council wants to keep on providing a space for families to bury their loved ones, it has identified that it is running out of burial space by 2030.

The issue is acute for people of faith, as Orthodox Christianity, Orthodox Judaism and Islam have bans on cremation.

While cremation is permitted by most Christian denominations, Catholics prefer burial as well.

Therefore, the Labour administration at Reading Borough Council is seeking to convert the Henley Road allotments -of which there are 127 plots- back into their 'originally intended use' as burial space.

It is a move that would have an impact on 115 individuals in 108 households that currently tend to the allotments.

The Reading Cemetery at Henley Road, Caversham, with the Henley Road Allotments site seen to the west of the image. (Image: Google Earth)The prospect of the allotments being turned into burial space was discussed by the council's policy committee.

Ellie Emberson, the lead councillor for corporate services & resources stated that she believed it is a 'moral duty' of the council to provide burial space, reflecting that her first trip as a lead councillor in 2019 was to Henley Road Cemetery, highlighting the significance of the site.

Cllr Emberson (Labour, Coley) said: "Many of us will have loved ones there, and I think it's a really important issue, and we accommodate around 2000 deceased residents every year, and that's both those who are cremated and those who are buried.

"And of those we have about 270 burials, so quite significant, for people of all religions, faiths and origins and for whatever cultural reason it might be.

"Indeed, I wish to be buried, sadly I have made my mind up despite being 26 and having written my will!"

READ MORE: The cost of graves and memorials in Reading as burial space is set to run out

She added that councillors follow the 'preferred option' to convert the allotments into burial space, but stressed that is to begin a consultation process rather than make an immediate decision.

Cllr Emberson said: "I know the allotment holders are concerned about their space, the legacy that they want to pass on to their children, but I do feel that this is a matter that we reserve that land."

READ MORE: Reading council leader announces plans to turn allotments back into burial grounds

Karen Rowland, lead councillor for environmental services noted that one in five residents choose burial, and that a balance had to be struck between the provision of allotments and burial space.

Cllr Rowland (Labour, Abbey) said: "I realise that this has understandably made allotment holders anxious and I entirely respect that."

The policy committee agreed to go ahead with the consultation on converting the Henley Road allotments into burials at its meeting on Wednesday, September 18.

The decision is projected to cost the council £2.8 million. 

Cllr Anne Thompson (Liberal Democrats, Tilehurst) abstained from the vote.