Public consultation

Haverstock
Studio 10, Cliff Road Studios
Cliff Road, London NW1 9AN
tel+ 44 (0)20 7267 7676
[email protected]
www.haverstock.com
Aylesbury Crematorium
1032-D022A
13.03.14
Public Consultation
Crematorium Design
A : View of Approach to Crematorium
Materials Key
1A: Vertical Timber Battens
with Decorative Metal Backing
1B: Vertical Timber Battens
with partially-obscured Glazing
Behind
1C: Vertical Timber Battens
with Stained Timber Backing
1A
1B
1C
2
3
4
2: Naturally-patinated Zinc
Roof
3: Light-buff Masonry Wall with
flush pointing
4: Built-up roofing system with
Biodiverse Sedum Blanket
B: Crematorium from South-west
Haverstock
Studio 10, Cliff Road Studios, Cliff Road, London NW1 9AN, tel +44(0)20 7267 7676, [email protected], www.haverstock.com
Crematorium Design
Landscape and Visual Appraisal
Despite there being no significant landscape designations in the vicinity of the site, we are assessing the impact of
the development on the surrounding landscape character and visual amenity, given its location in the countryside.
The process considers the natural topography and vegetation of the area and through digital terrain modelling
identifies areas within the surrounding landscape where the site and development are theoretically visible. The
assessment covers an area within a 3km radius and passes judgement on the impact of the development on the
existing and proposed views once the development is complete, and on the existing landscape character. Within
1km radius there are limited locations from where to view the site given the strong vegetated field boundaries
which block and filter views; and the gently sloping topography. The site is only visible from locations to the north,
on higher ground, on the opposing side of the Thame valley, 1-3km away, and set within a patchwork of dense field
boundaries and agricultural farm buildings.
3km
LEGEND
stu
dy
are
3km
Site Location
a
65 - 75m
75 - 85m
85 - 95m
2km
95 - 105m
2km
105 - 115m
LEGEND
stu
dy
are
Site Location
a
Zone of Theoretical Visibility of
existing site (eye level at 1.5m
height)
The ZTV shows a worst case scenario as
beyond 1km of the site, the digital model
is generated using a terrain model only
and does not include vegetation, physical
boundaries, built form or any other structures.
115 - 125m
125 - 135m
135 - 145m
145 - 155m
1k
155 - 165m
1k
m
Figure 2
Crematorium Joint Committee
Aylesbury Crematorium
Topography
1:25,000 @ A3
Drg No
Client
Project
Title
Scale
m
Figure 3
Crematorium Joint Committee
Aylesbury Crematorium
Zone of Theoretical Visibility (existing)
1:25,000 @ A3
Drg No
Client
Project
Title
Scale
E: View of Floral Tribute Area
F: View of Rear of Chapel
Haverstock
Studio 10, Cliff Road Studios, Cliff Road, London NW1 9AN, tel +44(0)20 7267 7676, [email protected], www.haverstock.com
View Diagram
Crematorium Design
The crematorium design makes itself legible by the use of two specific
formal languages to identify the differing activities contained within: the
waiting areas, porte cochere and administration facilities are unified by a
single low roof element and have their requirements for privacy addressed
through clerestory windows; the chapel and crematory are identified by
an upward-looking double-height volume clad in vertical timber rainscreen
cladding and a dual-pitched sedum roof.
Cane End Lane
200yards
The design utilises the porte cochere as an identifier upon a well defined
central axis of approach from the vehicular areas. This strategy, allied to
the careful programmatic control of occupant movement internally, will
maximise the privacy and seclusion of the mourning parties.
Site
Access
ne
Cane End La
Ground Floor Key:
Location Plan
Route In
Route Out
Private Areas
Visitor Areas
Public Areas
Vehicular and pedestrian site
access
Site boundary
Road
200yards distance from
neighbouring buildings
Existing buildings
Location of overhead power
line (approximate)
Water
Extent of 200yard
crematorium building exclusion zone upon site
Caven
Farm
(Crematorium Act 1902)
Overlooking from neighbouring
properties
Existing hedge
Site Plan
View
View
Ground Floor Plan (1:100)
Haverstock
Studio 10, Cliff Road Studios, Cliff Road, London NW1 9AN, tel +44(0)20 7267 7676, [email protected], www.haverstock.com
0
20
40
60
80
100
1
Crematorium Design
C: Section Through Chapel
The double-height Chapel space relies primarily upon a full-height northfacing glazed wall to ensure a high level of natural daylight without
problems of glare or solar-gain. The window is placed behind an outdoor
buffer space in the form of the Chapel Cloister which provides a covered
walkway to the Floral Tribute whilst also minimizing any light pollution from
the site. The Gallery space to the rear of the Chapel maximises the flexibility
of the building whilst maintaining the intimate scale of the interior. A long,
linear masonry wall forms the remainder of the north facade and provides
shelter for the external Floral Tribute at the west of the building, and
shielding for the plant and ancillary facilities to the east of the building.
The scale of the building is intended to provide a suitable human-scale
environment for the grieving process to occur, with the double-height
elements clad in a tactile natural material.
D: Interior View from Gallery of Chapel
The external landscaping has a direct relationship with the internal chapel
space through the large picture window and the formal gardens to the
north of the site. The remainder of the site allows for a spectrum of natural,
native landscapes - from specimen trees in the arboretum-type environment
adjacent to the floral tribute to a much less formal natural woodland
environment to the south of the site. Site boundaries will be well established
from the outset to enable the Crematorium and gardens to operate
independent of surrounding external planning impacts.
Chapel Seating Arrangements
Haverstock
Studio 10, Cliff Road Studios, Cliff Road, London NW1 9AN, tel +44(0)20 7267 7676, [email protected], www.haverstock.com
Landscape Design
Landscape Strategy
The approach to site strategy uses
two lines at right angles dividing
the site into four. This allows the
functions to be positions with
some order and in relation to
each other with some rationality.
The axis are used as the main
pedestrian circulation routes, northsouth and east-west. A garden of
remembrance occupies the whole
north western quad with specimen
trees set out as an arboretum and a
place to walk and contemplate. An
informal path from the floral tribute
display area to the south of the site
and the chapel of remembrance
passes through woodland along this
path ashes can be scattered into
the woods.
01
08
09
02
05
04
07
06
12
10
Site Plan Key
01 private gardens
02 service yard
03 chapel of remembrance
04 staff parking
05 west floral tribute wall
06 porte cochere
07 cortege waiting/parking
08 maintenance storage and garden staff
09 gardens of remembrance arboretum
10 woodland remembrance walk
11 overflow parking
12 drainage swale
13 existing retained hedgerows
13
12
10
13
11
11
11
11
03
Access Plan Key
Congregation - vehicle route to car park
Congregation - pedestrian circulation 1
- chapel of remembrance
- car park
- chapel
- floral tribute
Congregation - pedestrian circulation 2
- floral tribute
- woodland remembrance walk
- chapel of remembrance
- car park
Cortege route (and service access)
Chapel of Remembrance & woodland
remembrance walk could be accessed
separately without disrupting the
congregation
N
Site Plan (1:500)
Haverstock
Studio 10, Cliff Road Studios, Cliff Road, London NW1 9AN, tel +44(0)20 7267 7676, [email protected], www.haverstock.com
Access Plan (1:500)
Landscape Design
A quiet garden provides a contemplative view from the chapel
with formal planting against a backdrop of specimen trees
and open sky. This space is designed to be sublime, formal
and a integral element of the design of the main gathering
space of the building.
The entrance approach with open areas of grass could be
in part wild-flower meadow. It comes to view not directly on
entering the site but after passing through the woodland
at the entrance. This allows mourners and the cortège to
approach the building slowly, catching glimpses of the
building through the screening landscape. It is designed to be
experienced as an ensemble of building and landscape.
Formal landscape to main chapel window
Woodland and arboretum
The parking areas are in 3 clusters each of 40 spaces. They are
removed and not on view but have direct access to the north/
south axial route leading directly to the building entrance. The
top carpark is reserved for the cortège; Other users will fill the
carpark from the top down.
01
formal landscape to main chapel window
02
woodland and arboretum
03
building frontage planting
04
car parking and main entrance pathway
05
main entrance road approach
06
woodland and remembrance chapel
Building frontage planting
01
02
Car parking and main entrance pathway
Main entrance road approach
03
04
05
06
Woodland and remembrance chapel
Haverstock
Studio 10, Cliff Road Studios, Cliff Road, London NW1 9AN, tel +44(0)20 7267 7676, [email protected], www.haverstock.com
Plant & Environment
Aylesbury Crematorium Sustainability Strategy
Proposed Drainage Strategy and Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems
Our approach to the environmental design of the building follows the
SUDS will be incorporated within the scheme where possible to both reduce
and delay the surface water runoff from site. As infiltration is not likely to be
viable due to ground conditions, SUDS devices are likely to be in the form of
onsite swales and attenuation ponds.Proposals for the crematorium building
will also include a sedum roof which will help to reduce surface water runoff.
Be Lean, Be Clean and Be Green principles:
Be Lean: We will reduce the demand for energy by designing efficiency
into the very fabric of the building. Our focus is on air tightness, reducing
thermal bridges and solar control, as well as optimising the thermal mass
of the areas being considered. Dynamic thermal modelling simulations are
used to determine the best design solution for the building under real-world
operating conditions.
Be Clean: We will use energy efficient services that consume the minimum
energy possible whilst also utilising heat and energy recovery to reduce
base loads. All the essential systems have been considered for a long term
sustainable services installation: heating, hot water and ventilation systems,
cooling and light. Heavy emphasis has also been applied to the means of
control, metering and monitoring.
Be Green: To further improve the sustainability credentials of the building
low or zero carbon technologies have been considered to provide energy
and services to the building. These include solar photovoltaics, heat
pumps, sun pipes, double ventilated facades and natural ventilation. Our
approach to future-proofing also gives due regard to modern developments
in cremator technology and the building is designed so as to provide a
platform for a true zero-carbon crematorium once the technology matures.
The car park area is to be built upon voided gravel in order to route surface
water across to onsite attenuation devices. Current proposals are to
discharge the attenuated surface water flows from the development into
existing ditches adjacent to Cane End Lane. These proposals are subject to
a formal agreement with Buckinghamshire County Council, the Environment
Agency and other statutory authorities.
Glulam Frame Construction
Environmental Strategy:
1: Timber Glulam Frame Construction is an extremely sustainable form of
construction and is environmentally friendly in both production and use.
The overall carbon footprint of the building is much reduced due to carbon
sequestration by the trees used to make the frame and engineered timber is
in itself an effective thermal insulator.
2: Solar Shading provided by the canopies, overhangs and vertical timber
louvres minimises solar gain and glare. This allows for better controlled
internal environments and passive control of light levels.
3: Sedum Blanket Roofing provides added thermal mass to the envelope
and in turn reduces diurnal temperature swings. It also attenuates storm
water run-off andminimises rain-water drumming on roof. In addition
it provides a visually appealing surface treatment that enhances the
relationship of the building and the rural landscape.
4: Natural Ventilation is achieved through controlled cross ventilation,
providing a natural low energy ventilation system under normal conditions.
Timber Louver Panels
Sedum Blanket Roof
Summer Sun
Sedum Blanket
Swales
Warm Exhaust Air
Winter Sun
Natural
Ventilation
Cool Intake Air
Plant Controls
Environment Diagram
Haverstock
Studio 10, Cliff Road Studios, Cliff Road, London NW1 9AN, tel +44(0)20 7267 7676, [email protected], www.haverstock.com
Plant & Environment
Key
1. Coffin Charger with an electronic ram
2. Charging Door
3. Cremation Door
4. Post Combustion Chamber
5. Cremation Burner
6. Post Combustion Burner
7. Ash Removal Door
8. Energy Recovery
9. Aerocooler
10. By-pass
11. Reactor
12. Reagent Tank
13. Mercury Abatement Unit
14. Gas Extractor Fan
15. Chimney
16. Sampling Hole
17. Heating Recovery
Chilterns Crematorium Joint Committee
The Chilterns Crematorium Joint Committee considers sustainability to be
one of the key elements to running a crematorium and is proud of its record
in developing sustainable practices.
Cremator Plant: The crematorium presently uses three Evans 300/2
Cremators, installed in 1997. These are constantly monitored and regularly
serviced to ensure they are running at the greatest level of efficiency. The
operating procedures are subject to consistent review in order to maintain
best practice in line with current regulations. Image A shows the three
cremators in the Crematory.
Heat Recovery: The cremator exhaust gases have to be cooled before
passing through the filter. The heat exchanger recycles some of this
energy to run the central heating in the building, reducing heating costs
to a minimum. Image B shows part of the cremator filtration equipment
installed in 2011 at a cost of £600,000.
Cremator filtration: Compared to even twenty years ago environmental
protection legislation has drastically affected cremator design and
operation which is now a fully filtered, closely monitored computerised
process to ensure any pollution is minimised. The new crematorium will be
fitted with the latest filtration system so there will be no smoke or smell.
A crematorium also has to be licensed to operate by the local environmental
authority. The licence is renewed annually and environmental health
officers periodically inspect the process as part of their regulatory
responsibility.
Cremator Diagram
Cremation procedure: Cremators use a lot of gas and electricity. For
technical reasons excessive energy can be used if all cremations are carried
out on the same day at the funeral service. In order to reduce costs and
the impact on our environment by ensuring better use of energy and
minimizing carbon dioxide emissions (‘greenhouse gas’) the cremation
may be delayed, sometimes by up to three days, although the majority of
cremations are carried out on the same day or the day after the funeral
service.
A: View of Cremators in Plant Room
Haverstock
Studio 10, Cliff Road Studios, Cliff Road, London NW1 9AN, tel +44(0)20 7267 7676, [email protected], www.haverstock.com
Composting and Recycling: Waste from spent floral tributes is composted
on site and reused in the gardens of remembrance. All plastic (and paper) is
separated from general waste and sent for recycling.
B: Plant Room Mechanics
C: Filtration Equipment
Transport
Existing Conditions
Trip Generation
Traffic Flows
• The site is located at the north west of Cane End Lane, to the
north of the village of Bierton in Buckinghamshire.
• The site is currently in agricultural use and with the exception
of farm buildings directly to the south, the site surrounded by
agricultural fields.
• Approximately 350 metres to the east of the site Cane End
Lane meets the A418 at a simple priority junction. From
the site, Cane End Lane turns south and is later renamed
Rowsham Road.
• Cane End Lane has been measured on site and found to be
between 5.6m and 6.8m wide on the section between the
site access and A418.
• In order to obtain an estimate of the likely trip generation
associated with the proposed development, an automatic
traffic counter was placed at the entrance to the existing
Chilterns Crematorium in Amersham from 8-14 February
2014.
• The crematorium at Amersham has two chapels; one with
capacity for 150 people and another with capacity for 84;
both also have some standing room available. Services
take place every 45 minutes.
• From the data gathered, the average number of vehicle
trips generated per funeral service was between 56 and 66
vehicle trips.
• For the purposes of this assessment, it has been assumed
that the services at Bierton will generate 66 one-way
vehicle movements per service. This reflects the highest
trip rate recorded per service at the Chilterns Crematorium.
• The flows have been calculated on the basis of the worst case
assumption that there will be a maximum of eight services
per day including services at 0900 hours and 1600 hours. All
trips will use the Cane End Road/Aylesbury Road junction.
• The additional traffic in the morning peak will result in an
increase in traffic on the A418 of around 2% and there will
be no impact in the evening peak hour.
• Over a 12 hour period there is likely to be an increase
in traffic flow on the A418 of around 3.5%. This is well
within the daily variation in traffic flow and will not have
a noticeable impact on the operation of the local road
network.
• We are currently in consultation with Buckinghamshire
County Council Highways department regarding specific
measures to ensure minimised impact on immediately
adjacent roads and properties, and further details are shown
on the adjacent page.
Road Improvement Line
• A protected road improvement line affects part of the site
and safeguards land for a possible future Aylesbury Northern
Link Road. This can be seen on the large plan below.
• Discussions regarding the status of this improvement
line have been undertaken with the Highway Authority,
Buckinghamshire County Council.
• It can be seen from the submitted drawings that accompany
the planning application that the development acknowledges
the presence of the Improvement Line across part of the site
and provides a sufficient buffer.
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Highway Extents and Improvement Line
Haverstock
Studio 10, Cliff Road Studios, Cliff Road, London NW1 9AN, tel +44(0)20 7267 7676, [email protected], www.haverstock.com
Signage at Rowsham Road Junction
Transport
Parking
Geometric Design
• The analysis suggests that there will be around 33 vehicle
trips associated with each service. This number of trips can
easily be accommodated within the car park which has space
for up to 120 vehicles - 80 hard surfaced spaces with 40
reinforced grass overflow spaces.
• There is additionally space for up to eight limousines and for
eight staff vehicles.
• Therefore the proposed parking provision can be considered
to be adequate to accommodate the likely demand.
• The site access is one of the key elements for control of traffic
and will be designed and constructed to manipulate traffic
flow to and from the A418 along Cane End Lane only.
• Traffic following signage is directed along Cane End Lane
from the A418 and reaches a clearly signposted right-turn
into the Crematorium site that is adequately spaced for
limousines and large vehicles.
• Traffic exiting the site reaches the same junction in the
opposite direction and is directed straight ahead by signage.
There is a high-kerbed island between the two lanes at
this point which will make it difficult to turn right towards
Rowsham Road minimising disruption to residents.
Signage
• Approaching the Rowsham Road junction on the A418 from
Aylesbury there will be clear signs directing the traffic straight
ahead in line with TSRGD regulations.
• There will be a further pair of signs at the junction of Cane
End Lane on the A418 directing traffic from the main road
to the Crematorium entrance. At the site entrance there will
be specific instructions to proceed straight ahead on exit,
including a no right turn sign towards Rowsham Road.
Footway Links to Bus Stops on A418
Formal Entrance
Protected Route
Protected Route
Cane End Lane Vehicle Tracking
Sign:
Note: Maintained
Site Access
Note: Maintain Vehicle Access
Sign:
Aylesbury
Crematorium
Sign:
House
Key:
Route In
Route Out
Site Entrance Geometric Design
Haverstock
Studio 10, Cliff Road Studios, Cliff Road, London NW1 9AN, tel +44(0)20 7267 7676, [email protected], www.haverstock.com
Cane End Lane Roadway Dimensions
Chilterns Crematorium
Chilterns Crematorium
The Chilterns Crematorium was opened in March 1966 and is owned and
operated by a Joint Committee on behalf of Aylesbury Vale, Chiltern and
Wycombe District Councils.
The Crematorium is situated just outside Amersham on the main A404
Amersham / High Wycombe road. There are white gates at the entrance,
which is clearly signposted, and a long driveway leads to car parking
adjacent to the main buildings.
There are now two chapels in operation. The Hampden chapel has seating
for approximately 60 people downstairs with extra room for standing at
the back, and another 24 chairs in the organ gallery. The Milton chapel has
seating for approximately 150 people with a spacious area for standing at
the back. Other public facilities for both chapels include toilets and waiting
rooms with hot and cold drinks vending.
In a recent survey of over 1200 users of Chilterns Crematorium, there was
an expression of satisfaction from over 95% of those who responded.
Ground Floor Key:
Private Areas
Visitor Areas
Public Areas
Approach View of Chapel
Ground Floor Plan (1:150)
Landscaped Garden View
Haverstock
Studio 10, Cliff Road Studios, Cliff Road, London NW1 9AN, tel +44(0)20 7267 7676, [email protected], www.haverstock.com
Chapel Interior View
Chilterns Crematorium
Landscaping (right)
The Garden of Remembrance which surrounds the Crematorium buildings
is derived from an existing woodland, to which many interesting varieties of
trees and shrubs have been added. Beneath the trees where the ashes are
scattered there are flowering bulbs which come up year after year. Nearer
the buildings there are a number of bi-annually planted flower beds and
hanging baskets.
History of Chilterns Crematorium Joint Committee
1952 A meeting was convened by the Wycombe Rural District Council in
February 1952, when consideration was given to the provision of a central
crematorium to serve the rising population of South Buckinghamshire,
bearing in mind the increasing difficulties of obtaining sites for burial
grounds as existing churchyards and cemeteries became filled and no longer
available for burials.
1955 The Chilterns Crematorium Joint Committee (CCJC) was constituted
on 24th March 1955 by agreement between the Amersham Rural District
Council, Aylesbury Borough Council, Chesham Urban District Council, High
Wycombe Borough Council and Wycombe Rural District Council.
1961 After 6 years of searching and following many disappointments
and frustrations, including the rejection of planning applications on two
separate sites, on 26th October 1961 planning consent was issued for the
Chilterns Crematorium at Amersham and the site was acquired for £3,500.
1966 Construction of the Chilterns Crematorium was completed at a
cost of £120,000. On 11th March 1966 the first funeral service was for Sir
Norman Kendal, a barrister who lived in Chalfont St Giles. In the first 12
months 957 cremations were carried out.
1974 Following Local Government reorganisation the constituent
authorities of the CCJC became Aylesbury Vale District Council, Chiltern
District Council and Wycombe District Council who continue to run the
Chilterns Crematorium as a shared service to the present day.
1988 With the number of cremations being carried out predicted to reach
3,000 per year by the mid 1990’s the CCJC considered the possible future
provision of a second funeral chapel for the first time.
1997 £1.2M project comprising four fully environmentally-compliant
state-of-the-art cremators and complete refurbishment of the ‘behind-thescenes’ parts of the Crematorium including the provision of proper staff
facilities.
2005 £2.1M project building the Milton Chapel was completed. The
second chapel improved the quality of service by enabling the funeral time
to be extended from 30 minutes to 45 minutes. In addition it increased the
capacity of the Crematorium by helping reduce waiting times for a booking.
2007 Aylesbury Vale District Council asks the CCJC to help identify a site
for a crematorium as part of its developing planning policy.
2009 CCJC commission a consultant to carry out a feasibility study
on building a crematorium at Aylesbury. The study concluded that the
projected future population growth in the area, a crematorium was needed
sooner rather than later.
2010 At its meeting on 24th February 2010 the CCJC confirmed its desired
intention to build a crematorium in the Aylesbury area and the search for a
site was intensified.
2011 £600,000 project to install cremator filtration equipment was
completed. The prospect of even more stringent environmental legislation
aimed at reducing emissions of mercury (mostly from dental amalgam),
dioxins and particulates from cremations first emerged in 1999. The CCJC
decided cleaner emissions were a priority and installed plant to enable
100% of its cremations to be filtered.
2013 After 6 years of searching involving over 50 different sites, an Option
to buy a site near Bierton was achieved.
2014 The CCJC’s aim is to achieve planning consent on the site and build
Aylesbury Crematorium in 2015. Once open in 2016 the Crematorium will
reduce journey distances and times to neighbouring crematoria. It will
also relieve the pressure on the CCJC’s Crematorium at Amersham which,
although not operating at capacity, is one of the busiest in the UK. This will
help the CCJC achieve its overall aim of improving funeral service provision
to all residents of the three districts and surrounding areas.
Examples of Chilterns Crematorium Landscape
Haverstock
Studio 10, Cliff Road Studios, Cliff Road, London NW1 9AN, tel +44(0)20 7267 7676, [email protected], www.haverstock.com
Aylesbury Crematorium FAQs
Q: Where is it going to be built?
A: The proposed Crematorium is to be built off Cane End Lane north of
Bierton close to the Hulcott crossroads junction on the A418.
Q: What is the Crematorium Committee?
A: The Chilterns Crematorium Committee runs the Chilterns Crematorium at
Amersham which opened in 1966 and is a shared service provided jointly by
Aylesbury Vale, Chiltern and Wycombe District Councils.
Q: Where can I find information about Chilterns Crematorium?
A: On the Chilterns Crematorium website - www.chilternscrematorium.co.uk
Q: How is the design being agreed?
A: An architect was appointed who has worked closely with the officers
and Committee members responsible for the operation of the Chilterns
Crematorium, together with advice from the local planning authority,
to ensure a design which primarily meets the needs of the bereaved, is
practical to operate and in harmony with its surroundings. The current
consultation process is also viewed by the Joint Committee as a crucial
aspect of the design process.
Q: Why has this area been picked?
A: With a growing population the need for a crematorium in the Aylesbury
area has been recognised for several years with a site on the northern side
of the town considered the place which would best serve the majority of the
population in relation to neighbouring crematoria. Many sites were looked
at and the chosen site met the criteria.
Q: How far away from the nearest properties will the crematorium
be?
A: There is only one dwelling which overlooks the site and by law the
crematorium building must be built at least 200 yards away from it.
Q: Who is paying for the Aylesbury Crematorium?
A: The Chilterns Crematorium Joint Committee from within its own
operating finances. To date the Joint Committee has reinvested surpluses
in operation and environmental improvements. A mechanism is in place to
share surpluses between the constituent Authorities of Aylesbury, Wycombe
and Chiltern District Councils.
Q: When will the construction work start?
A: During 2015 subject to planning permission being obtained and the final
costs signed off.
Q: When will the Aylesbury Crematorium start to operate?
A: In 2016.
Q: What landscaping will be provided?
A: Landscaping is a major and critical part of the scheme. It will screen
views of the building and car park from outside the site as well as helping to
create a pleasant and peaceful environment within the site both for those
attending funerals and visitors returning later to remember relatives and
friends cremated there and where their ashes may have been scattered.
Predominantly native trees and shrubs will be used and the overall theme
will be low maintenance woodland and open parkland which will provide a
better habitat for local flora and fauna compared to the current grass field.
Q: What pollution will come out of the crematorium? Will there be
smoke or smells?
A: With the abatement and emission controls governing crematoria virtually
none but in the past crematoria were often associated with smoke and
smell emissions; modern filtration equipment has eliminated this.
Q: What site surveys are being done?
As well as surveys relating to construction and use there will be surveys to
assess any effect on the local environment, traffic and habitat and also
landscape and visual impact. The findings will be taken into account in the
layout, design and use of the site to help mitigate any detrimental aspects
as far as possible.
Mercury Abatement Plant and Filtration Equipment
Haverstock
Studio 10, Cliff Road Studios, Cliff Road, London NW1 9AN, tel +44(0)20 7267 7676, [email protected], www.haverstock.com
Landscape around Crematorium
Q: Have local residents been consulted? When? Will resident’s
comments be taken on board?
A: Residents in Bierton, Hulcott and Rowsham have been written to advising
them of the proposal and inviting them to this public exhibition where the
plans are on show and members of the project team are available to answer
questions. There are feedback forms available today.
There is also information on the Chilterns Crematorium website
– www.chilternscrematorium.co.uk . Comments can be sent to
[email protected] or in writing to:
Aylesbury Crematorium
c/o Georgina Copeland
Chiltern District Council
King George V House
King George V Road
Amersham HP6 5AW
Q: Hours of operation?
A: Provisionally it is intended that funerals will be able to be booked at
hourly intervals starting at 9am and finishing at 5pm (finishing at 1pm on
Saturday mornings and no funerals on Sundays or Bank Holidays). This
means theoretically up to eight funerals each day but it is estimated that
initially the crematorium will carry out about 1,000 funerals each year which
means on average between three and four a day.
Aylesbury Crematorium FAQs
considered to be the optimum for a facility of this size and expected use.
There is a bus stop in both directions at the Hulcott crossroads and the
possibility of constructing a footway along Cane End Lane to the site is an
option being considered.
Q: Can any faith use the crematorium?
A: Yes – any faith can use the crematorium and services can be religious,
secular and it is possible to have a cremation only without a service.
Q: Will there be scatterings in the surrounding woodland?
A: Yes. Commemoration will also be available to purchase but the form this
will take has yet to be decided.
joints, etc., and metals used in the construction of coffins) are recycled
through a national recycling scheme run by the Institute of Cemetery and
Crematorium Management and the surplus after running costs is donated
to ‘bereavement related’ charities. The scheme has been running for about
seven years and over £1M has now been donated to charity
• Many sites use heat removed from the waste gases as part of the
filtration process to heat the building
• Floral tributes are composted on site which is used in the upkeep of the
gardens
• Plastic, the majority of which comes from the floral tributes, is recycled.
• Solar Photovoltaic electricity generation
• Natural heating and cooling / ventilation
Access road to Crematorium from A418
Q: How will traffic be managed?
A: Traffic management is a key issue for the Joint Committee project team
and will be carefully considered during the planning process and is being
discussed with the Highways department of Buckinghamshire County
Council. There is a good turning into Cane End Lane off the A418 at
the Hulcott crossroads which leads straight to the crematorium without
passing any dwellings other than the one at the entrance. Signage will be
erected on the A418 and when exiting the crematorium directing traffic to
Hulcott crossroads and not towards Rowsham Road. Signage at the A418/
Rowsham Road junction will also direct traffic to Cane End Lane.
Q: What’s the catchment area for the crematorium?
A: A need has been identified in the north of Aylesbury for a new
crematorium facility. The main catchment area will be Aylesbury and
the villages immediately south of the town which currently use Chilterns
Crematorium at Amersham and the villages in Aylesbury Vale to the north
of the town as well as nearby Linslade and Leighton Buzzard where the
nearest crematorium is currently at Milton Keynes.
Q: How many funerals per day?
A: The predicted usage of the crematorium has been determined through a
study of existing usage patterns at the Chilterns Crematorium. Analysis of
this robust data suggests that an initial use of three to four services a day is
likely. The maximum capacity of the proposed crematorium is eight services
per day on a one hour per service basis.
Q: What parking facilities will be available?
A: Currently the proposal is to provide car parking for 120 cars which is
Haverstock
Studio 10, Cliff Road Studios, Cliff Road, London NW1 9AN, tel +44(0)20 7267 7676, [email protected], www.haverstock.com
Q: Will facilities be provided for pet cremation?
A: Currently it is not permissible to cremate pets in a cremator designed and
licensed for human cremation which is covered by different environmental
and regulatory legislation. Nationally there has been some discussion
about the possibility but to date no crematorium has applied to do it and
there are no plans to provide pet cremation at the Aylesbury Crematorium.
Q: Will there be a burial ground?
A: No, this site will not be used for burials.
Q: Will there be public access to the gardens?
A: Yes. The Chilterns Crematorium chapel and gardens of remembrance
in Amersham are open 365 days each year and even when ‘closed’ the
side gates are left unlocked for pedestrian only access to the gardens. The
intention is to provide similar access at The Aylesbury Crematorium.
Q: What highway improvements are going to be implemented?
A: This will be detailed during the further planning process with the Highway
Authority (Buckinghamshire County Council) being a statutory consultee.
Q: Is there a discount for local residents?
A: No. The Chilterns Crematorium is a publicly owned and operated facility
and all users pay the same fee. The same policy will apply at the Aylesbury
Crematorium. Historically services provided by the Joint Committee have
been less expensive than private operators.
Q: What about noise from the crematorium?
A: This will be taken into account in the design of the building but in fact the
noise level will be very low.
Q: What will the impact on wildlife be?
A: Full consideration on the impact on wildlife will be given. Predominantly
native trees and shrubs will be used and the overall theme will be low
maintenance woodland and open parkland which will provide a better
habitat for local flora and fauna compared to the current grass field.
Q: Has potential flooding of the area been considered?
A: This has been checked and the site is not on a floodplain or susceptible to
flooding.
Q: What sustainable features will be included in the build and
operation of the facility?
• The cremators to be operated efficiently throughout the day under
national guidance
• Metals recovered from the cremation process (artificial hip and knee
Solar Photovoltaics