Plan to increase capacity at cemetery approved

Plans to increase capacity at a cemetery in Melton Mowbray have been given the go-ahead.

Melton Borough Council's cabinet has approved plans to increase capacity at Thorpe Road Cemetery by removing a number of smaller footpaths to create additional burial and cremation plots.

According to the Conservative-run council, due to the age of the cemetery, space was "limited" and it continued "to reduce year on year".

A council report detailed action was "required" to manage existing capacity and increase operational capacity.

The report states that analysis had identified that, as of April 2026, the cemetery had 286 burial plots and 71 cremation plots remaining.

It added that this meant the council had about nine years' burial capacity and three years' cremation capacity remaining.

Council documents said the proposals would increase capacity to 15 and 25 years respectively.

The council added that the works - which would involve removing selected footpaths - had been allocated £50,000 and were expected to take place in 2027.

Alison Freer, portfolio holder for corporate governance, waste and environmental services, said: "Thorpe Road Cemetery is an important place for many families in our community, and it is essential that we plan ahead to ensure local burial provision remains available for future generations.

"Without these changes, capacity at the cemetery would become increasingly limited, making it more difficult to meet future demand from local families.

"These changes will help us make the best use of the space available, while maintaining the respectful and peaceful environment for local families to remember their loved ones."

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