Grieving relatives may soon be able to look to nature for a lasting memorial to a loved one.

A piece of agricultural land in Herongate is set to become a green burial ground.

There is a growing trend for green burials where graves are marked by plants and trees rather than a traditional headstone.

Brentwood Borough Council's planning development control committee last week granted permission for 5.85 hectares of land to the south of Billericay Road to be used as a human green burial ground.

The application was submitted on behalf of Woodland and Wildlife Conservation Company Limited , of Birch Hall Farm, Coppice Row, Theydon Bois.

But the plans which include a small chapel, equipment store, car park and a new access have upset some residents.

Ten letters of objection were received from residents concerned about the size of the development, the use of Green Belt land, and the impact on local traffic.

But a report by planning officers stated:A burial ground is an appropriate Green Belt use. It is not considered the provision of the modest chapel and equipment centre would unduly harm the openness of the Green Belt."

Published Friday August 9, 2002

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