A GROUP of residents who have concerns over a major new cemetery in Oswaldtwistle met at the site to show their opposition to the plans.

A planning application has been registered with Hyndburn Council for the formation of 35,000 burial plots by the Issa Foundation for the Issa Memorial Garden (Muslim Cemetery & Pavilion). 

It will be located off Blackburn Road, near West End Business Park.

In a statement released last week, the Issa Foundation said it wished to clarify that while the plans aim to address the shortage of Muslim burial plots in the area, the cemetery would accommodate ‘people of all faiths and backgrounds’ and ‘meet the needs of all communities’.

On Sunday morning, more than 100 people turned out for the walk across the land that straddles Oswaldtwistle and Blackburn.

Many of them grew up in the area and others had lived nearby for 50 years.

Among them was Janet Mather who said she was concerned at the lack of consultation before the plans were submitted.

She said: “Nobody has actually asked our opinion on this.

“I grew up here and remember playing here. We would rather the land is left as it is. This is a lovely place to walk and somewhere the kids can play. This cemetery will destroy what is here.”
The application site covers an area of 84 acres with a provision for 663 car parking spaces spanning the length of the site’s northern boundary, parallel with Blackburn Road.

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Alan Weaver has lived in the area for 35 years. 

He said: “I think people are under the impression that we are against it being a Muslim cemetery. That is not true. We are against any sort of structures and development here.

“This area is used by walkers and there is so much wildlife to see.

“There has been a real lack of consultation or mediation with anybody.”

Ian Young was keen to ask why the foundation had not opted for land that is not as close to residents. 

He said: “We have space for burials at Accrington Cemetery to last 50 years.

“I would like to ask why not build it near Stanley House and other land? Has that even been considered?”

Ray Dewhurst has known no other home other than his house on Percy Street where he has lived for 51 years. 

He said: “There are serious concerns for the amount of traffic this stretch of road will have. That is a major issue for us.”

There were growing concerns that people would be travelling from a 100-mile radius to attend the grave site.

Paul Edmundson: “This is already a very busy road and is used as a racetrack.

“What I would say is if, for instance, you had 600 cars in here they would be leaving all together. What is already a busy road would become increasingly busier.”

Mrs Mather added: “When speaking with people about our morning activity, quite a number of people said that they had found it beneficial to their mental health during the pandemic as they had been able to walk in this area and look at the scenery from the top of the hill and they had also used the area to exercise and plan to continue to do so.”

Lee Hadfield, who also lives near the site, said the group just wants to make their voices heard.

He said: “This was not a protest but more of a gathering of people who wanted to show what they thought. Not one person is leading it and different people want to say something.

“We are a happy community here. I am sure there is land in other parts of the region that could be used as a cemetery.

“People are also afraid many things. Such as in the future there may be access from and to the cemetery from the adjoining estate. Will people then park their cars over there too?”
Mr Hadfield said people did not want this to become about race and religion.

He said: “This is not about whether this is a Muslim cemetery. People just don’t want a cemetery here because they think it will cause extra traffic issues.

“I would rather have a lake or maybe a public park. It could have plaques about the local area or even about the Muslim faith.”

Issa Foundation cemetery will accommodate ‘burials of all faiths’

In a statement last week, the Issa Foundation said: “We would like to confirm the Issa Memorial Garden located off Blackburn Road, near West End Business Park will be developed to meet the needs of all communities that wish to be buried at the site and will accommodate people from all faiths and backgrounds.

“Effective landscaping and pathways, accommodate transport connectivity and car parking, continued public access and providing safe, secure facilities will also be key proponents of the design and development of this public space.

“We will continue to work with the various stakeholders to ensure the scheme effectively addresses concerns presented to date.”