New £11m crematorium in Chingford green-lit by council

Chingford: The new crematorium plan has stirred up quite a bit of chatter among locals. Eighteen residents raised concerns about potential toxic emissions and unpleasant odors from the facility.

The Waltham Forest Council just approved the project, which has been in the works for a while. This new electric crematorium will be built in Chingford Mount Cemetery and is expected to cost around £10.9 million.

It’ll feature a spacious building with areas for families, a chapel, and even an office. The council believes this electric design will help cut down on carbon emissions, which is a plus.

Interestingly, the budget for this project has grown from an initial £8.3 million due to rising construction costs. The council thinks this new facility will make things easier for funerals and help accommodate different cultural needs.

Right now, the cemetery is running out of space for burials, so this new crematorium is pretty much needed. Residents currently have to travel quite a distance to find a crematorium, which can take anywhere from 30 to 55 minutes.

Despite the benefits, some locals are still worried. A councillor mentioned that there’s a lot of anxiety about air quality and the potential for bad smells. One resident even said it feels wrong to have a crematorium so close to homes and schools.

On the flip side, the planning committee chair reassured everyone that the increase in traffic would be minimal. There are already nine crematoria in north London, and the newest one just opened in Waltham Abbey.

Since the pandemic, the number of cremations has really shot up. More people are opting for direct cremations, which are cheaper and have become more popular.

Construction is set to kick off this year, and they expect the crematorium to be operational by 2026. It’s a big step for the community, even if it’s a bit controversial.