Controversial toilet and waste plans revived for town cemetery

Diss Cemetery on Heywood Road where plans have been submitted for a new work building, toilets and rubbish storage. Picture: Simon Parkin (Image: Archant)

Diss Town Council withdrew its 2010 application for the town's cemetery that would have included storage units, a portable cabin and waste bins after it sparked a large number of objections and a petition signed by local residents.

Now fresh proposals have been submitted to South Norfolk Council to build a shipping container style maintenance cabin and two toilets in a corner of the cemetery next to Heywood Road.

In its submission, the town council states that the building would be used by the maintenance team, adding: 'It would accommodate an eating area, toilets and an area for changing into work clothes.'

The proposed new work storage building and waste area would be located in the corner of Diss Cemetery next to the existing bungalow. Picture: Simon Parkin (Image: Archant)

The plans would also see a new waste area for rubbish collected from the town's bins and the relocation of bins currently located around the cemetery chapel.

In its previous application the town council had highlighted problems with a lack of storage for machinery and tools with one of the cemetery chapels doubling as a workshop that unsuitable for the hazardous materials to be stored there.

The new building would be sited next to a bungalow overlooking the cemetery. Its occupant supports the plans but the revised scheme has again prompted opposition from some neighbours.

Waste bins and portable toilets currently located next to the chapel at Diss Cemetery but they would be moved under new plans. Picture: Simon Parkin (Image: Archant)

In an objection, Beverley Blake, from Heywood Avenue, states: 'A rubbish bin site should not be located in a cemetery, as I believe this to be extremely disrespectful to those people who are buried there.

'Surely the bins can be situated in a commercial area in Diss or in the location of the football/playing fields, where they create little disturbance to anyone.'

Helaine Clare, of Fair Green, states: 'The cemetery, in my opinion, is the one remaining unspoilt part of the town; a place people visit to remember loved ones. To grant planning permission to turn it into a council storage depot is entirely inappropriate.'

Diss Town Council said the cabin and bin storage area would be screened by the existing mature trees and shrubs supplemented by additional plantings.