 Tumble residents showed their opposition to the scheme |
A controversial plan for the first "eco-friendly" burial ground in west Wales has been refused in the face of strong opposition. Residents in Tumble near Llanelli turned out in force to protest against the development on farm land on the outskirts of the village.
Carmarthenshire councillors travelled to the proposed site to see it for themselves before hearing from objectors and the company behind the application.
There were huge cheers from the public gallery when after lengthy discussions they voted against it.
 |  Tumble will become a migration burial site for people outside the area  |
Woodland Burials Wales wanted permission to create a woodland burial site as the nearest is currently more than 50 miles away at Cardiff.
People would be buried in bio-degradable coffins, usually made of wicker or soft wood.
Gravestones or statues would not be allowed, and the plot would be marked instead with symbols like a tree, plant or bench.
'Chinese whispers'
But Bethania Road resident Delyth Lewis told the meeting: "The question is who would be buried at this site and the answer is almost certainly not local people.
"Tumble will become a migration burial site for people outside the area.
"There are no economic benefits to the local economy whatsoever.
"This development represents an intrusion into the countryside."
The company promised no more than 20 burials a month would take place and said there was nothing for residents to fear.
 Tim Pullen said no decision had been on whether to appeal |
Representative Jason Evans said: "We are well aware of the local objections and we would simply say this is due to the levels of misinformation.
"It's been a case of a lot of Chinese whispers."
Speaking after the meeting local councillor Neil Baker said he believed his colleagues had arrived at the right decision.
"There was enough grounds to turn the application down today.
"There are certainly traffic issues, pollution questions and certainly the visual impact on the local community."
Chief executive of Woodland Burials Wales, Tim Pullen, said he was disappointed at the result although he had yet to decide whether to appeal.
"Maybe the amount of public opposition is sufficiently strong for us not to do anything," he said.
"The opposition to it has been very strong, although the grounds on which it has been refused are bit shaky and I would say it's more of an emotional decision or even political rather than technical."
One-Minute World News 
News services
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
