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Latest video of new crematorium

Building work on the site of Plymouth’s brand new crematorium continues at pace as this latest fly-through video shows.

With roads and car parks now in place, attention is now turning to the beginnings of the main buildings.​

The new facility is set in 17 acres of countryside on the eastern edge of the city, off Merafield Road near the Stag Lodge entrance to Saltram Park.

Inspired by the landscape, the buildings will nestle into the slope of the site and will be surrounded by pooled water. Plymouth Limestone will be used and windows will provide lots of light and views out over the water and the landscape beyond.

Meanwhile, a new café will be open all day to serve refreshments for people attending funerals and also for people visiting the site to pay their respects. There will also be a facility that families can hire for wakes.

When the new crematorium is built, it will replace existing facilities at Efford and Weston Mill, which will continue to be active for burial and memorials with the chapels available for bookings.

Councillor Pat Patel, Cabinet member for Customer Services, Culture, Leisure & Sport: said: “I’m really pleased with the progress being made on our new crematorium.

“We are creating an industry-leading facility that will serve our communities for generations to come and I look forward to seeing it complete.”

Like many building projects planned and started during the COVID-19 pandemic, the costs of the build have risen since diggers first arrived on the site.

In addition, the impact of Brexit on labour and supplies and the war in Ukraine have also affected the availability and cost of core materials.

To try and safeguard against this, the Council has already agreed to pre-purchase some of the steel needed for the main phase of construction to safeguard against rising prices.

Nonetheless, the increased cost of the build, which is now totals around £29 million, was approved by Cabinet on Thursday 7 July.

In addition, delegated decision was published on Friday 22 July to appoint Kier Group as the main contractor on the build.

More information on plans for the new crematorium can be found here – www.plymouth.gov.uk/futurecrem