A proposed woodland burial ground will give people in Notts the chance to have a "green" grave. Environment correspondent JON ROBINSON reports.

MANY people now dedicate at least a small part of their life to going green.

But there could soon be a way for people to be environmentally friendly after their death.

Plans have been submitted to Newark and Sherwood District Council to create a new woodland burial ground on the edge of Southwell.

Hazel, silver birch or rowan trees would act as grave markers – instead of gravestones – and biodegradable coffins would be used.

The plans would eventually see a four-acre patch of grazing land transformed into a tranquil countryside woodland, enhancing the natural environment and wildlife habitat.

It would also provide much-needed space for graves, with Southwell Minster expected to run out of plots in the near future.

One of Southwell Minster's charities, Southwell Charities for the Poor and Sick, has put forward the plans for land it owns at Cundy Hill, Westhorpe, Southwell.

Architect Martin Hubbard, who produced and submitted the plans on the charity's behalf, said: "The majority of people are at least aware of the climate change agenda and a fair number of people want to carry on in some way that respects the world we live in – and this is a really good way of doing it.

"Not only are we not using heavily manufactured, man-made materials, we are actually taking a field in the countryside and turning it into a woodland.

"It is providing a community service that is of tremendous value and enhancing the environment at the same time.

"This site could take burials for the next 50 years or more."

Mr Hubbard said the site would be open to people of any faith – as well as people who are not religious – and the grave area would be more "generous" than in a typical graveyard, with a space of about two metres by three metres for each plot.

All of the trees used would be natural in the English countryside.

As well as the smaller trees for grave markers, there would be larger trees planted, such as English oak, ash, birch, whitebeam and alder, to strengthen the woodland feel.

Families visiting relative's graves would be able to find the right tree grave marker by looking at a numbered map, in the burial record held inside a wooden store building.

A management company would be set up by the charity which owns the land and this would be a member of the Association of Natural Burial Grounds and comply with the association's code of practice.

Mr Hubbard said the use of green or natural burial grounds had grown in popularity in the UK and there were several set up across the country since the first one was established in 1994.

There is already one in Notts at Oxton.

The Dean of Southwell, the Very Revd John Guille, said: "This is an excellent scheme which will offer local people a wider choice as they consider burial.

"We recognise that our own graveyard will be full in the near future and as an expanding community it's right to plan ahead."

Clerk to the charity and local businessman, Robert Beckett explained that the charity had begun to consider the project as they looked at the best use of the charity's assets, including its land.

He said: "I think we felt there wasn't that facility in the town and we knew of the lack of traditional burial ground.

"This field could help alleviate the pressure on the town's current graveyards, as well as offering a natural burial option."

The planning application includes parking and a small shelter at the edge of the site.

The charity also aims to work in partnership with Notts Wildlife Trust and Brackenhurst college in the creation of the site, if their application is successful.

The new burial ground will fall within the parish of Holy Trinity, Southwell, which recently opened up a graveyard extension behind the church.

Vicar of Holy Trinity, the Rev Mark Tanner, said he was happy with the plans for the natural burial ground, which would offer a welcome addition to the town's current facilities.

Prices have not been finalised but are thought to be around the same as a traditional burial.

jon.robinson@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk