Site proposed for new city cemetery

Published on Tuesday 6 January 2009 20:49

LAND beside one of Dundee's main industrial sites could become the site of a new cemetery, it was revealed yesterday.

Councillors will on Monday be urged to investigate the cost and feasibility of the scheme, proposed for land north of the West Pitkerro industrial estate.

Dundee has enough space in its existing cemeteries to meet demand for the next six years, with an extra 12,000 plots in the extension to the Birkhill Cemetery expected to ease pressure from 2010.

But councillors are being asked to identify the preferred site for a new cemetery as part of the forthcoming review of the development plan.

Fraser Macpherson, convener of the planning and transport committee, explained: "The search for a location for a new cemetery has been given a new impetus after the Scottish Government refused outline permission for a cemetery at the Linlathen site late last year."

Eleven possible sites have been examined by officials. Mike Galloway, the director of planning, and Stewart Murdoch, the director of leisure, are recommending in a joint report that the West Pitkerro estate site should be the preferred choice.

They state: "This is an extensive site offering full potential to meet additional cemetery capacity requirements. Investigations have not revealed any ancient or historic sites within this location as was the case with the site further to the east."

A former nine-hole golf course in Caird Park should be regarded as a priority site to be held in reserve.

Richard McCready, convener of the leisure, arts and communities committee, said: "The site north of West Pitkerro Industrial Estate ticks the most boxes of the options that were looked at."