CREMATORIUM facilities won't be allowed at a greenfield cemetery.

Planners turned down a bid to install a crematorium at New Manchester Woodland Cemetery on the outskirts of Mosley Common.

City residents, local councillors and neighbouring Salford City Council were against the idea and Wigan planning committee supported their stand after visiting the scene.

Wigan MBC officers had reasoned the crematorium would not be inappropriate in the Green Belt.

It is one of two schemes put forward for consideration in the eastern end of Wigan Borough. A Bristol-based firm is hoping to be allowed to set-up a crematorium on land adjoining the local authority's Howe Bridge Cemetery at Lovers Lane, Atherton.

Disappointed New Manchester Woodland Cemetery manager Robin Gerrard told The Journal after hearing the planners' decision:"The councillors obviously feel the other application is better.

"We haven't had time to think about an appeal."

They were aiming to provide facilities which would mean mourners would no longer have to trek to Overdale, in Bolton, which is currently the fourth busiest facility in the country.

More than 40pc of the families who opt for Overdale live outside Bolton and the success in attracting mourners from outside the town is helping to pay for a recent £1 million transformation.

Bolton Council claims it is confident Overdale can withstand the challenge but an official admitted:"If it does go ahead it could have an impact on us in a few years time."

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