A Rushcliffe cemetery which is now full and hasn’t been used for burials for nearly half a century has been officially closed by the council. The cemetery, in Shaw Street, Ruddington, was handed over to Rushcliffe Borough Council in 1974 at a time of major local government reorganisation.
When it was put into the authority’s control, the site was almost at capacity and has not been used for burials or ashes ceremonies since the mid-1980s. However, the site had not been officially ‘closed’ for burials despite there being no obviously-available plots.
The authority says this is due to what it describes as a “small administrative oversight”. The Conservative-led council has operated the site as a closed cemetery since it took over control of the site 49 years ago.
But now the administration has officially designated the site as a ‘closed’ cemetery meaning no further burials or interments can take place on the land.
It came as the authority looked to “rectify” the longstanding issue and ensure it is no longer available for burials. The move was unanimously backed by cabinet members during a meeting on Tuesday (July 11).
Speaking in the meeting, Councillor Abby Brennan, the council’s deputy leader and portfolio holder for business and growth, explained why the decision is being taken now. This [decision] is essentially to rectify a small administrative oversight,” she said.
“Shaw Street Cemetery has been the responsibility of the borough [council] since it was transferred in 1974. We have managed it since then as a closed cemetery. No ashes have been interred since the mid-1980s and we’ve been made aware no formal closure of the cemetery has been undertaken.
“Essentially, the requirement is that we agree the cemetery is full or otherwise impractical for use. The formalities required to achieve this are minimal. The site was, in fact, assessed as nearly full when it was transferred to us in 1974 and the plots on the site are extremely difficult to identify, with broken headstones and so on.
“No plots have been sold since that transfer date back in 1974.” She said it is “theoretically possible” someone could come forward with a grant of burial on the site but this is “becoming less likely with the passage of time”.
“There is also an alternative and active cemetery on the adjoining Vicarage Road,” she added. And Councillor Roger Upton, cabinet member for planning and housing, said: “I’m pleased to second this report. It’s essentially a tidying up of the administration process for this long-closed cemetery.”
