A CONTROVERSIAL £1.5 million crematorium could be serving the people of Radcliffe within a year.

Global funeral firm Service Corporation International (SCI) has submitted a full planning application to build the crematorium on land adjoining Radcliffe Cemetery.

The company was awarded a 125-year lease on the land by Bury Council in September 1999 after submitting the most competitive bid.

Outline planning permission was granted for the development in March 1997, despite a year-long protest by residents of the Greenbank Road area. They submitted a 166-signature petition and a list of 30 separate objections.

They objected to traffic, access, the effect on the environment, and the general inappropriateness of having a crematorium so close to a residential area. They said processions of funeral corteges would also have a detrimental effect on local housing, trees and wildlife, as well as causing emotional distress to those living nearby.

And they are just as upset today about the crematorium which would deal with up to ten cremations a day.

Mr Frank Leach (65) of Greenbank Road said: "Our attitude has not changed. We are still opposed to it, especially the traffic problems we believe it will cause, and we will be making sure planning bosses know of our opposition."

And Mr Peter Sillett, whose family funeral firm has had a presence in the town since 1875, said: "The development would be on cemetery land. It is a great shame that an area that would no doubt be needed for burials in the future would no longer be available."

However, SCI communications director Sarah Liscombe said: "We operate in 26 countries and have 17 crematoria in the UK. We work very closely with the community and have a very good track record."

The actual application is for a one level brick and stone building with a slate roof. There would be two gas fired cremators and the flues would be at the lowest possible height in order to comply with emission standards. The chapel would seat 84 with additional space for 30 more seats and there would be a clock tower on the roof. The buildings would have a floor space of 420 square metres.

It would be open weekdays and Saturdays from 8.30am to 5pm and would create eight new jobs.

In addition there would be administrative offices, public facilities, a vestry and a workshop. A garden of remembrance is subject to a separate planning application.

Planning bosses will decide on the application in the near future.