Plans for refurbishing Astwood Crematorium have been set out in a report published by Worcester City Council.
Alongside new, energy-efficient electric cremators, it is proposed that the programme of work includes a refurbishment of the chapel, - including extra windows to create improved views of the serenity garden and decoration of the chapel entrance and exit – and the complete replacement of the building’s roof.
A public consultation was held in October to gather views on the refurbishment plans, and these have fed into the report that is set to be considered by the Policy and Resources Committee on 17 December.
The Committee will be asked to back the refurbishment plans, agree to the preparation and submission of a planning application, support the financing of the £6.96 million scheme, and set the wheels in motion to appoint a main works contractor.
The report says that a larger programme of improvements, which would have involved extending the crematorium building, is not affordable because it would have cost an extra £2.7 million.
At the heart of the plan is the replacement of the current three gas-powered cremators with two new electric cremators, thought to be the first to be installed in a West Midlands crematorium. These will be cheaper to run and also meet regulatory standards on pollution emissions that are about to come into force (applying to both new and existing cremators), as well as providing a continuing income stream to the Council.
The new cremators will make an important contribution to the Council’s commitment towards environmental sustainability, reducing Astwood’s annual carbon emissions by an estimated 173.52 tonnes – the equivalent of around 768,385 miles of petrol vehicle driving.
The core refurbishment programme will also include a heat recovery system – to re-use energy from the new cremators to warm the building – the new roof, and associated structural enabling work.
The Committee will also be asked to agree to investing approximately £420,000 in additional improvements that received strong backing from residents, funeral directors and other stakeholders in the public consultation.
These include:
- Refurbishment of the chapel
- An extension to the window area that looks out from the chapel to the serenity garden, making the latter visible from more of the building interior
- New furniture, fittings and equipment in the chapel and other areas of the building
- Electric charging points in two parking bays
- Landscaping improvements to boost biodiversity at the Green Flag award-winning cemetery grounds.
Consideration will also be given to installing solar panels on the new roof, to further improve the building’s efficiency. This will be subject to further engineering input and analysis
The project is set to receive a £1.5 million grant from Salix, which supports energy-efficiency schemes with Government funds. The cost to the City Council will be £5.4 million.
Councillor Lynn Denham, Leader of the City Council and Chair of the Policy and Resources Committee, said: “We know that Astwood Crematorium provides a critically important and much valued service to the people of Worcester.
“People engaged passionately and thoughtfully with the recent public consultation and I am pleased that we have been able to accommodate many of the suggestions and issues that were raised.
“This will be a major project and will unavoidably mean some disruption to the crematorium. The Council’s officers are working hard to put temporary arrangements in place that will ensure funeral services can continue to be held in Worcester during the works period. We will also ensure that Astwood Cemetery’s importance as a special place of memory for loved ones is respected at all times.
“I am confident that the improvements this will bring to our city’s crematorium will be valued and appreciated by our citizens when they are completed.”
If the Policy and Resources Committee approves the proposals, work is expected to start on site in summer 2025, with the Crematorium building closed until spring 2026. Astwood Cemetery and grounds will remain open throughout the refurbishment period.
