Pleasington Cemetery extension could secure burial space for years to come

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council has announced plans to extend Pleasington Cemetery in a bid to secure burial space for local people in future.

Pleasington Cemetery is currently the only cemetery in Blackburn accepting new burials. Around 400 burials take place there each year, and the remaining burial plots are expected to be filled within the next few years.

The proposed extension would be built on 8.7 hectares of council-owned land at Lower Fold Farm, next to the existing cemetery and crematorium. It is due to be discussed at an upcoming Executive Board meeting and would still need member approval and planning permission.

If approved, the scheme would provide around 4,000 new burial plots and help meet the borough’s burial needs for around 15 more years.

The plans also include areas for cremated remains, memorial and reflection spaces, extra parking for visitors and funeral corteges, new trees and planting, and wildlife habitat areas.

The council says the design has been developed to meet the needs of different faiths and communities, including graves that can be aligned with the Qibla for Muslim burials and accessible routes for visitors.

Councillor Quesir Mahmood, Deputy Leader of the Council and Executive Member for Growth and Development, said:

This proposed extension is an important project for Blackburn with Darwen. We want to make sure that local people continue to have access to burial facilities close to home.

A great deal of work has gone into studying the site and making sure it is the right location. The extension will help us provide a long-term solution for future generations.

Councillor Jim Casey, Executive Member for Environment and Communities, said:

We know that Pleasington Cemetery is a peaceful and important place for many families.

Our plans keep existing woodland and include new planting to make the area even more attractive for visitors and wildlife. We will continue working closely with environmental experts and regulators throughout the project.

The council says it has carried out studies on drainage, wildlife, transport, landscape and groundwater over several years, and that the findings show the site is suitable for the proposed extension.

It also says feedback from faith groups has helped shape the plans, and that it will continue working with local communities, faith groups and other organisations during the planning process.

The project still needs planning permission and environmental approvals before work can begin. If it gets the go-ahead, the planning, procurement and construction stages are expected to take between 24 and 28 months, with work beginning by mid-2027.

The council says the extension would help ensure residents and families across Blackburn with Darwen continue to have access to local burial services for years to come.