Plans have been put in for a memorial park and crematorium on land at Ellough.

Oxfordshire-based Memoria Ltd want to build Waveney Memorial Park, comprising gardens of remembrance, a car park, access road, a chapel and other buildings used for cremation services.

People living in the Ellough area have been provided with consultation papers relating to land next to the B1127 at Warrens Lane and Benacre Road.

According to the developers the proposal will address the existing gap in service for around 120,000 people, offering local people the choice of a more accessible cremation service.

The matter was discussed by members of Shadingfield, Sotterley, Willingham and Ellough Parish Council on Wednesday evening who recommended the application for approval.

Simon Thompson, chairman of the council, said: 'The council's views on the plan were fairly positive.

'Councillors recognise the need for it in the area and providing they address traffic access onto the highway and construct sufficient car parking spaces so people are not forced to park on the road, then the council is supportive.'

The plans say that the memorial park would reduce the distance travelled by funeral vehicles by 180,000 miles a year, with the closest existing crematorium 20 miles away in Gorleston.

The garden area would be split into formal and informal parts with water features, such as a pond, while the access on Warren Lane would be surrounded by traditional timber field gates and wrought iron fencing.

The planning document states: 'The scheme would feature attractively landscaped gardens of remembrance to ensure a tranquil setting effectively screened to view from outside the site, but with views outwards towards a countryside setting.

'Such schemes are recognised as being compatible with the countryside and, with the associated landscaping would have minimal impact on their surroundings.'

A decision is expected to be reached by Waveney District Council around July 13.