Woodland burial supporters say they allow mourners more time

People would be buried in bio-degradable coffins, usually made of wicker or soft wood, at least one metre below ground.

Gravestones or statues would not be allowed, and the plot marked with symbols like a tree, plant or bench.

But there are claims that some people would be offended, while there are also objections on the grounds of traffic and the effect on the environment.

Residents, a church leader and neighbouring farmers in Carmarthenshire, say they are against the application for the eight-acre site.

Within this area the Welsh culture of burying in consecrated ground with a marked grave matters to a lot of people Reverend Mandy Williams-Potter

Woodland Burial Wales wants to create the site off Bethania Road in Tumble.

It would be used by people of any religious or non-religious denomination, providing an alternative to conventional burials or cremations.

Public exhibition

A public exhibition has been held in Tumble to try allay residents' concerns but a petition signed by 1,386 people and 29 individual letters have been submitted ahead of the council's planning meeting on Thursday.

The Residents' Association claimed it would cause traffic congestion on the access road to the land which they say is unsuitable for cars.

A tranquil and natural resting place that is harmonious with its surrounding environment CDN Planning

They also claim there are potential environmental risks, although the Environment Agency has not objected and planners say strict conditions would be applied.

A residents' spokesman said: "We consider that this intrusive development will adversely affect the character of the village and destroy the quality of life enjoyed by its inhabitants."

'Conveyor belt'

The vicar of the parish, Reverend Mandy Williams-Potter, said the burial ground would not be used by many local people and would offend some.

Traditional coffins would be replaced by bio-degradable types

"The rites and customs surrounding death and funerals are very important," she said.

"Within this area the Welsh culture of burying in consecrated ground with a marked grave matters to a lot of people - such a proposal for this particular area is not appropriate."

But agents acting for the applicant have tried to reassure the community and said there were more than 160 similar burial sites in Britain that operate without controversy.

CDN Planning said woodland burials offered four main advantages over more traditional funerals.

It said services at some graveyards or crematoriums were carried out in a 'conveyor belt'-like manner, but woodland burials ensured that mourners were allowed as much time as they wished by the graveside.

They were also more eco-friendly, created natural woodland and were a lot cheaper with the cost of interment often less than 50% of the cost of a conventional burial.

The company also said most urban cemeteries reused land, whereas woodland burial sites were set up with the view that there was just one "client" in each plot.

"Woodland burial sites are designed to provide a tranquil and natural resting place that is harmonious with its surrounding environment," said a spokesman.