Why does Oxford need burial space outside the city?
BBCA new cemetery for people who have died in Oxford has been approved.
The facility will be the responsibility of Oxford City Council and is expected to last for the next 40 to 45 years, with the capacity for 120 burials each year.
But the site is on the outskirts of Horspath, outside the city's ring road and in South Oxfordshire's district boundary.
So, why is the neighbouring authority, that is already being asked to help fulfil the city's housing targets, also helping provide land for burials?
Oxford City Council currently has four cemeteries in Oxford.
The 19th century sites at Headington and Rose Hill have been full for more than 20 years and there is only limited space at the cemeteries in Wolvercote and Botley.
With around 20 per cent of people choosing burials, it amounts to about 200 each year in the city. Carri Unwin, project manager for Oxford City Council, said additional capacity is now "urgently needed".
The issue is also seen by the authority as one of equality, noting the Jewish and Muslim communities have "a religious requirement" for burial and Catholics "traditionally opt" for them.
The search for a suitable site has been going on since 2019, but with the high cost of land and a priority for using sites for affordable housing, the authority has described finding a location as "difficult".
Had the plans not been approved, Oxford would be the only city in England not to have an active burial ground.
The 7.3 hectare new site, referred to in the plans as the Oxford Burial Meadow, is between Oxford and Horspath, next to Horspath Athletics and Sports Ground and opposite Oxford United's training ground.
The land is already owned by Oxford City Council and will cost an estimated £2.4m to develop.
Bodies from the city will be prioritised, with burials offered at a reduced rate, although space will be available for the surrounding villages in South Oxfordshire.
Mourners will use the existing council-owned car park, with an additional 15 spaces to accommodate the increase in visitors.
Improvements will be needed to access the site for hearses and maintenance vehicles, with ceremonies only taking place on weekdays between 09:00 and 15:00.
While the land is on the greenbelt, cemeteries are considered appropriate for these areas.
Concerns have been raised by Horspath Parish Council that "pollutants" from the bodies may leach into the nearby Northfield Brook at times of heavy rain.
But planners have introduced swales to guide rain water away from the graves, with additional restrictions on keeping burial space away from the watercourse.
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