A new cemetery is set to be built in Great Harwood after documents revealed the existing one will be full in less than two years.

Hyndburn council has bought a field to the south west of the current cemetery on Blackburn Road to provide extra burial space.

Planning documents drawn up by the council reveal that the old cemetery has ‘nearly reached its capacity’ and at an average rate of 30 burials per year ‘will be full in less than two years’.

The replacement cemetery will cater for the Great Harwood and Rishton populations and will be located around 300 metres from the current one, which was commissioned in 1887.

A design and access statement said: “The existing cemetery in Great Harwood has nearly reached its capacity and at an average of 30 burials per year it will be full in less than two years.

“The nearest cemetery within the borough of Hyndburn is on Dill Hall Lane in Church/Altham.

“The main cemetery in the borough is Accrington Cemetery and Crematorium and located off Burnley Road in Accrington. This is the only site within the borough where cremations can be carried out. There are no other open cemeteries within the borough.

“The cemetery will be used to cater for the needs of, but not limited to, people in the Rishton and Great Harwood area.”

The proposal includes a new vehicle and pedestrian entrance from Lee Lane and alterations to the existing footpath and cycle path.

Entrance gates, railings and stone pillars will help form the formal entrance, similar to the entrance at the older cemetery on Lee Lane.

Trees will be planted along the main drive to form an avenue.

The existing entrance, into the field, previously used by the farmer will be closed and replaced by a thorn hedge.

A decision on the proposal will be made in the next few months.

Plans for the new Great Harwood cemetery