Council abandons plans to build Hinckley Crematorium

Seven years after it approved plans to build a new crematorium in Hinckey, the Borough Council has said it cannot continue the project.

Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council has put the land earmarked for the development up for sale stating it wants someone else to build the facility instead. 

The statement came after it was reported that a secret meeting was held where councillors discussed the way forward after years of delays on the project. 

The Leader of the Council, Stuart Bray told Fosse 107 he does not know how much money the Council has spent on the failed project which has now been abandoned. 

The council says it remains fully committed to delivering a crematorium, however, "due to rising construction costs and difficulties within the contractor market, the business case was reviewed"  

Cllr Keith Lynch, Executive Member for Finance, ICT & Asset Management at the Borough Council said: "I have always been committed to delivering a crematorium for Hinckley. This stance has not changed and never will. 

"I thank my fellow elected Members across all parties for their backing on this proposal. We are still determined to ensure that a modern, fit-for-purpose crematorium facility is built to serve our community. It is important that our residents have an alternative, affordable facility close to home that will reduce waiting and travelling times while creating jobs for local people. I look forward to seeing the bids that potential providers submit. Only the best one for Hinckley and Bosworth will be progressed.” 

Timeline: 

• February 2018 - Consultation on plans for Hinckley Crematorium launched 
• January 2019 - Plans approved by council with budget of £4.6million with work due to start late 2019 and open in February 2021
• July 2020 - Council announces delay and says project will cost an extra £3.4 million. A contractor has been chosen an a revised opening date of August 2021 was publicised.
• January 2021 - Kier Group starts work on the site with a revised budget of £5million and opening date of "early 2022"

The council says any new developer might be able to use the original plans for the site which were awarded planning permission in 2019 but they will need to renew highways and ecological assessments. 

Reports on the councils website show for many years that council and the developer Kier Group were aware of water issues on the site. In the medium term financial strategy document 2022/23-2025/26 it states: 

"The Crematorium

3.35 The Crematorium currently has a budget of £6.9m but is subject to continuing delays on the site due to problematic water conditions, which may increase the costs further. The Contractor is completing site inspections and we are in continual dialogue with the contractor as to how these issues can be resolved. It is currently expected to become operational during the 2022/23 year."