Watermead Crematorium plans go back to the drawing board after judicial review

The Court of Appeal has decided that Aylesbury Vale District Council’s planning permission for Westerleigh’s crematorium at Watermead should be redetermined.

In a decision handed down last Friday afternoon (17 March), the two appeal judges found that there was an error in the report to the planning committee.

Commenting on the decision, Westerleigh’s managing director, Richard Evans said “We are naturally very disappointed with the decision. Having been granted planning permission, and having had that planning permission confirmed in the High Court, Westerleigh pressed ahead with the regeneration of this brownfield site and development of this much needed facility. To now be told that there was a procedural error which needs to be rectified is a real nuisance.”

He added: “The planning application now has to be redetermined, with the benefit of an additional report which Westerleigh will be submitting in the next day or so. We hope that AVDC planners will be able to take the application back to committee as soon as possible, and correctly grant planning permission.”

“Aylesbury is in desperate need for crematorium facilities – something that has long been recognised by AVDC. Local families are suffering the distress of long journeys to existing crematoria.”

The Judicial Review was brought about by Watermead Parish Council.

Mr Evand added: “It will have cost both Watermead Parish Council and Aylesbury Vale District Council tens of thousands of pounds in legal fees so far. In these times of austerity, that is money which could, and should, have been spent on worthwhile, positive projects benefiting local rate payers – rather than going into the pockets of solicitors and barristers.”