EXTENDED opening hours at a crematorium have been given the green light despite objections from the local parish council.

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s planning committee rubber-stamped amended changes to opening times at Birches Crematorium and Remembrance Park in Lach Dennis.

The committee also gave the go ahead to a separate application for a building extension, site cabin and children’s garden at the site.

The crematorium had applied to extend its opening hours to include Saturday afternoons, and in the mornings on Sundays and public holidays, citing one of the reason as pent up demand for memorial services due to many people not being able to attend funerals during Covid lockdowns.

But Lach Dennis and Lostock Green Parish Council objected, saying it would have a detrimental impact on village life.

Speaking at the planning meeting, parish councillor Kathy O’Donoghue, said the issues around the site had been ‘considerable and controversial’.

She said: “The Birches crematorium is currently open five days a week, 9-5 and 9-12 on a Saturday morning, it was supposed to be a small, low key local facility that blended into the landscape, not a stand out large commercial enterprise seven days a week.”

Cllr O’Donoghue said extra traffic on Birches Lane would be detrimental and present ‘more risk’, especially when children are off school.

But Steve Goodwin, speaking on behalf of the applicant, said the parish council's concerns over traffic were 'unfounded'.

He said: “The level of activity generated by this increase would be minimal and only allow a maximum of 10 funerals on a Saturday and four on a Sunday and bank holidays, which would not lead to any unacceptable disturbance to residents.

“In terms of highways, the (council’s) highways department have raised no objections, the parish council’s objections are unfounded and not based on an assessment of the actual impact.”

The committee voted unanimously to approve an amended application, which would allow the crematorium to open from 9am-5pm Monday to Saturday, and for 12 services a year to be held on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

They also voted unanimously to approve the new buildings and children’s garden.