Wealden District Local Plan

Burial Study Background Paper

Proposed Submission Document

August 2018 How to Contact Us

Planning Policy Council Council Offices, Vicarage Lane, , East BN27 2AX

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Contents 1. Project Background ...... 2

2. Project Objectives ...... 3

3. Project Activities ...... 4

4. Findings ...... 5

Trends ...... 5

Burial statistics by type ...... 7

Outflow of Wealden residents to neighbouring districts ...... 10

Projected potential deficit of burial space & future requirements for burial space until 2028 ...... 11

All current burial space within the district ...... 14

5. Conclusion ...... 19

6. Appendices ...... 21

Appendix A – Wealden population by age, gender, and religious preference ...... 22

Appendix B – Questionnaire Response Summary Tables ...... 28

Appendix C – Tables detailing future burial space availability within Wealden throughout the plan period (until 2037)...... 31

Appendix D – Details of all identified Burial Grounds in Wealden ...... 34

Appendix E – List of Tables and Figures ...... 51

Tables ...... 51

Figures ...... 51

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Wealden Burial Provision Study Summary Report

1. Project Background

1.1 As part of the provision of infrastructure and facilities to support the growth of around 11,456 new homes envisaged in the Wealden Local Plan, we need to understand the situation regarding existing burial space in Wealden, where this is and the capacity remaining in existing graveyards. We also need to understand what the potential future demand for burial space may be and assess how we can monitor change and cater for this demand in the future.

1.2 Wealden District Council is not currently a burial authority, and does not currently own or manage any cemeteries or crematoria within the District.1 Residents of Wealden however, use municipal graveyards and crematoria within neighbouring authorities in and Kent, for the cremation or burial of family members. For the purposes of the audit of facilities, supply and demand for services, we will assume that this trend will continue.

1.3 We already have a lot of information about national trends, preferences and cultural traditions around death, burial and cremation, but have little information about the local picture. This is the gap we need to bridge to assess needs and plan for future requirements. There is no requirement to register cemeteries on any national database so all information needs to be gathered through local sources.

1 Wealden District Council is funding ad developing a new purpose built Crematorium in , which is due to open in late 2018.

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2. Project Objectives

2.1 The objectives we set out to achieve through this project were to:

• Profile the historic, current and projected trends regarding population, demographic change, religious preferences and death rates at District & Parish level, presented as tables & graphs, with narrative. • Gather and analyse statistics on the relative proportions of burials (traditional and ‘green’) and cremations, presenting data at Parish & District levels; and also in relation to outflows to adjoining authorities • Analyse the outflow of residents to neighbouring districts, for burial and/or cremation – to be presented in tables, graphs, narrative and also in mapped format. • Create a table showing the analysis of projected deficit of burial space within the District up until 2028, taking into account out-flows to other authority areas – including projection of capacity critical timescale (i.e. when existing space available is full). • Create a table showing the assessment of future requirements for burial space within the District – No of full body plots, child plots, cremated remain plots required to meet demand – taking into account project outflows. • Provide a list of current cemeteries and burial space within the District, including information on location, parish area, isolated or connected to a religious building, whether these are secular/religious burial grounds, indication of religious denominations, secular body responsible for the management of the burial ground, age of burial ground (when first opened and if relevant closed), numbers of plots provided, numbers of plots (capacity) available (on the basis of full body plots, child plots, and cremated remains), potential space through re-openings (family plots), plans/potential to expand existing burial space. • Provide a plan(s) showing the location of all burial spaces across the district, with parish boundaries shown, with spaces coloured to denote whether burial space is closed or open, whether it is secular (and open

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to everyone) or attached to a religious establishment (which may limit those who would be accepted for burial). • Create a table to show the % outflow of Wealden residents to specific cemeteries/crematoria in adjacent authorities. • Provide a ‘strategic’ plan which shows the location of cemeteries, crematoria in adjacent authority areas – with the general preference of residents in different parts of the district to adjacent authorities facilities (if this can be gleaned from post code information from adjacent authorities). • Create a table showing the areas of the District where burial space needs are critical/likely to be critical within the plan period. • Provide a plan showing areas of the District where burial space needs are critical/likely to be critical within the plan period (as a heat map if possible and appropriate).

3. Project Activities

3.1 In order to meet the project objectives our aims were to:

• Contact all burial authorities in the District, including churches and town & parish councils; • Contact all funeral directors in the District; • Contact a small number of funeral directors immediately adjoining the District; • Analyse our findings and produce a summary report to serve as a Background Paper for the Wealden Local Plan.

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4. Findings

Trends

4.1 Figures 1.1 and 1.2 show the population projections for the Local Plan period of 2013-2028; the projected increases have been calculated using the Strategic Housing Market Area (SHMA) average annual population growth figure for Wealden of 921. This gives a population increase over the plan period of 10,131 people (6.5%). A more detailed breakdown of population by age group, gender, parish and religious preference is given in Appendix A.

Figure 1.1 Wealden Population projections through the Local Plan period2

170,000 165,173 160,568 160,000 155,042

150,000

140,000

130,000

120,000

110,000 Population Projection Projection Population

100,000 2017 2023 2028

Year

4.2 The projected number of deaths within Wealden has been based on the population projections above and a death rate of 1.08%. This death rate has been used as it represents the average for the most recent 7 years (2008-2014) of available data in Wealden.

2 Figure 1.1 Source: calculated using 2012-based SNPP (ONS)

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4.3 The figures show that the number of deaths likely to occur each year will rise by 6.6% over the plan period, in correlation with the projected population increase.

Figure 1.2 Wealden death projections through the Local Plan period3

2000 1,784 1,674 1,734

1500

1000

Death Projections Projections Death 500

0 2017 2023 2028 Year

4.4 The latest available data on religious preference is summarised in Figure 1.3 (see Table 1.3 in Appendix A for more detail). Whilst there are several negligible adjustments, there has been a significant change in the number of Christians (- 13%) and those that have no religion (+ 11.7%). Anecdotal evidence suggests that those of ‘no religion’ are most likely to be cremated, or buried at a non-denominational cemetery.

3 Figure 1.2 Source: ESiF Deaths by broad age groups, 1991-2014 – districts

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Figure 1.3 Percentage change of Christians in Wealden compared to those who stated they were of no religion4

100

77% 80 64% 60 2001

2011 40 26%

20 14%

0

Percentage of the Wealden population Wealden the of Percentage Christian No religion Religion

4.5 It is worth noting that, if this trend continues, there could be a change in demand for burial type over the plan period.

Burial statistics by type

4.6 There is a significant difference between the number of full body burials undertaken at cemeteries run by town and parish councils (66%) compared with the number of full body burials as a percentage of overall funerals that are conducted by funeral directors in the District (16%).

4.7 All funeral directors in Wealden, along with several from bordering areas, were invited to contribute their data to this study. The response rate was 33%. Response by area is shown in Appendix B.

4 Figure 1.3 Source: ONS Census, 2001 and 2011

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4.8 Many funeral directors, churches and local councils hold their burial data in paper / ledger form. This makes accurate comparison of ‘like for like’ very difficult as we received information covering varying time periods. Therefore the figures are based on variable time frames but the majority cover at least ten years (for cemeteries) and 12 months (for funeral directors).

Figure 2.1 Proportional use of town and parish cemeteries per year5

34% Full Body Burials

66% Burial of Cremated Remains

Figure 2.2 Proportion of funeral types conducted by Wealden funeral directors6

16%

Full Body Burials

84% Cremations

5 Figure 2.1 Source: Wealden town and parish councils, collected 2016 6 Figure 2.2 Source: Wealden funeral directors, collected 2016

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4.9 The data gathered shows a very strong trend towards cremations as opposed to full body burials (available data shows over 80% of funerals being conducted as a cremation).

4.10 Anecdotal evidence gathered during discussions with funeral directors within Wealden suggests that the vast majority of the funerals they conduct are for Wealden residents.

4.11 Historically, in the absence of a crematorium within Wealden, all Wealden residents who are cremated must travel out of the District. Subsequently the small number of full body burials that funeral directors handle is likely to be Wealden residents being buried in the parish in which they lived or had a connection to before their death.

4.12 Wealden District Council has recently been granted planning consent to build a new crematorium in the centre of the District on a site to the south of Horam. This new facility is scheduled to open towards the end of 2018 and will have the capacity to provide for around 1200 cremations a year. This will provide a much needed local resource, reduce pressure on crematoria within neighbouring authority areas and reduce pressure on limited burial space within the District.

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Outflow of Wealden residents to neighbouring districts

4.13 As mentioned earlier there is neither a national centralised database nor regulatory body for the collection and recording of burial or cremation data. The nature of paper records and ledgers makes it very difficult to ascertain the geographical nature of full body burials in Wealden. However, the vast majority of churches said that, to be buried in consecrated ground, the person must have had a strong connection to the parish in which the church is located.

4.14 We know that all cremations occur outside of the District as Wealden does not currently have a crematorium.

4.15 Given the strict rules laid down by the churches, we can assume that the majority of both full body and cremated remains burials that occur within their grounds are for Wealden residents.

4.16 None of the cemeteries owned by the local councils place restrictions on who can be buried there however Town Council did gives us a breakdown of cemetery use separated by parishioner and non-parishioner which indicated the majority of burials, despite the lack of restriction, are for local residents. In 2012 85% of burials were parishioner, 74% in 2013 were for parishioners and in 2014 & 2015 the figures were 66% and 93% parishioner burials respectively. This is not indicative of every local council cemetery but provides an interesting insight.

4.17 The scope of this project did not permit contacting churches and funeral directors in neighbouring authorities. However from the information we have gathered both formally and informally, we can conclude that there is not a significant outflow of residents to neighbouring districts or boroughs.

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Projected potential deficit of burial space & future requirements for burial space until 2028

Figure 3.1 Time until burial space capacity will be reached in relation to the Local Plan period7

Time (Years) 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Hailsham

Hellingly

Willingdon & Jevington

Heathfield & Waldron

Uckfield Full body capacity

Crowborough Cremated remains capacity Location End of proposed plan period Danehill (2028 (12 years after data collection took place 2016)). Down

Fletching

Rotherfield

4.18 Figure 3.1 (above) shows how long it will take, based on the historic data we have gathered, for existing burial space owned by Town and Parish Councils to reach capacity without any extensions to these sites.

7 Figure 3.1 Source: Wealden’s town and parish councils, collected 2016

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4.19 Crowborough will be in need of more burial space for full body burials (FBB) by 2020 (4.3 years-time); this is based on Crowborough Town Council having 65 plots remaining whilst on average they have 15 FBB/year. They need an additional 270 full body plots to cope with demand until 2028. Crowborough Town Council state they are in the process of building a new cemetery at Summer Sales which will be opening in late 2018/early 2019. This will meet their requirement for additional space during the Plan period.

4.20 Additionally, capacity will be reached in 2028 at the Willingdon & Jevington cemetery for full body burials, and will reach full body burial capacity before the end of the plan period with it becoming full in 2024 based on current usage.

4.21 Forest Row will require extra space for all burial types close to the end of the plan period as full body and cremated remains capacities will be reached in 2032 and 2029 respectively. We are informed by the Parish Council that they are in the process of looking at extra land to extend the current cemetery.

4.22 The current capacity of burial grounds, belonging to burial authority towns and and all known available burial plots within these, is shown in Appendix C Table 3.3 (cemeteries owned by local councils and church-owned burial grounds). From this information we can estimate that three burial grounds will reach full body burial capacity during the plan period: Crowborough, Danehill and Rotherfield.

4.23 Where town and parish cemeteries are projected to reach critical capacity levels within the Local Plan period, we have sought to establish whether churches within these areas (and their associated burial grounds) may have any additional capacity to meet demand. This was not the case. Given the preference for those of no religion to

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be buried in non-denominational grounds it is unlikely that this would be a viable solution.

4.24 Data collected shows that Town and Parish councils deal with a total of 252 burials within their cemeteries each year on average.

4.25 The total deaths in Wealden in 2013 were 1,6478. Therefore, in 2013, we can assume that around 1,395 residents were either buried (full body or cremated remains) in a Wealden churchyard, had cremated remains scattered elsewhere or were buried outside of the District.

4.26 If people in Wealden continue to die in the same numbers as in 2013, then the current burial capacity within Wealden would last 6.5 years. This however assumes that every Wealden resident that dies will be buried or has their cremated remains buried in either a Wealden town or parish cemetery or a Wealden churchyard, and not be moved outside the district or scattered elsewhere (i.e. a special place personal to the individual or family).

Table 4.1 – Wealden Burial Space Capacity Overview – Averages9

Total burial plots identified as still available in Wealden 10,749 Deaths in Wealden (2013) 1,647 Time before full capacity is reached in Wealden 6.5 years Average number of burials in town and parish cemeteries 252 each year The number of Wealden residents who are not buried in a 1,395 town or parish cemetery Number of years until the end of proposed plan period (from 12 Years

8 ESiF Deaths by broad age groups, 1991-2014 – districts 9 Whilst this overview is useful, caution should be used. Looking at all burials over an average a year against all remaining plots does not provide such an accurate picture as when burial capacity is addressed by type as above in Figure 3.1.

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when the most recent data was submitted (2016)) Total burial capacity required in town and parish cemeteries 3,024 (252 x 12 during the plan period based on average yearly use of sites years) Total burial plots we are aware of at town or parish 6,858 cemeteries Extra burial plot capacity during plan period in Town and 3,834 (6,858 – Parish cemeteries 3,024)

4.27 Based on District-wide projections, there will be around 3,834* burial plots remaining in Wealden’s town and parish owned cemeteries at the end of the plan period (*6,858 plots held by towns and parishes against the demand of 3,024 plots through the plan period; 12 years of use at an average use of 252 burials a year). This capacity calculation does not account for any expansions to current town and parish cemetery space through the plan period.

4.28 As this is an average for all sites, it does not mean that all town & parish cemeteries will be able to accommodate burials through the whole plan period. See Appendix C for more detail.

All current burial space within the district

4.29 Table 4.1 provides summary figures for all burial grounds in Wealden District that the Council have been able to identify through their own research. Appendix D contains further details and lists those cemeteries run by Wealden’s town and parish councils as well as churchyards and, where this information was available, sets out the total burial plots and current unused capacity. Closed churchyards are also included in the table at Appendix D for completeness.

4.30 We also asked Town and Parish Councils who are responsible for a cemetery whether they had any plans to expand their provision, either

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by increasing the size of the current site or building a completely new burial ground within the parish. The key findings from these questions are set out below:

• Crowborough – A new burial ground is being created at Summer Sales and is planned for opening in late 2018 / early 2019. • Danehill – A new extension for 150 plots is being planned on land adjacent to the current cemetery as it is already owned by the Parish Council. The parish council consider that, with this expansion, they have enough burial space for the next 50 years. There may also be opportunity for a cemetery or garden of remembrance on parish council owned land near to one of the parish churches. • Fletching – There is a possibility to purchase more land within the Parish. • Forest Row – The Parish Council are in the process of looking to purchase further land to the rear of the existing cemetery. • – The Parish Council own a further plot of land near to the current cemetery which is for future burials, however it won’t be required for a long time and will need some ground work undertaken before it could be used. • Hailsham – There are some pieces of possible land near-by to the cemetery. • Rotherfield – The Parish Council currently own land below the Parish Cemetery; this part is not being used as a cemetery at the moment but is being kept tidy for eventual commissioning for new burials in the medium term. • – The Town Council own some land around the cemetery however this is not considered suitable without major preparation works.

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• Willingdon & Jevington – The Parish Council are in talks with relevant stakeholders about various pieces land for cemetery expansion.

Figure 4.1 Map of burial space within the district

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Figure 4.2 Map showing future capacity at existing town & parish cemeteries within the Local Plan period

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4.31 Figure 4.2 demonstrates spatially, our findings in relation to full body and cremated remains burial plot capacity available within town and parish burial authority cemeteries.

4.32 It shows that the north / north west of the District will demonstrate the greatest demand for burial space for all burial types throughout the plan period. Although Forest Row is shown as green and thus having capacity through the plan period it is noted in 4.19 that this will be reached soon after 2028.

4.33 Crowborough and Rotherfield can provide enough cremated remains plots but will, at current usage rates, not have enough capacity to accommodate full body burials through to 2028.

4.34 It appears from Figure 4.1 that the following parishes do not currently have burial provision: Laughton; ; ; ; ; and Horam. However, Appendix D provides details on the location of churches within the Parish, demonstrating that there is at least 1 church (with unknowm burial space) in each of the above Parishes. It is only the Parish of Horam that does not have provision of a church, but this will be the location of the new Crematorium, to be delivered by the Local Authority. It can therefore be said that there is the availability of burial space within each of the District’s parishes, albeit to varying degrees.

4.36 Extra provision of burial space is stated (para 4.30) to be provided in the following parishes: Crowborough, Danehill, Fletching, Forest Row, Hadlow Down (not required until the longer term), Hailsham, Rotherfield, Uckfield; and . This will significantly assist the Council’s ability to cater for its increased burial provision needs during the Plan Period to 2028.

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5. Conclusion

5.1 This study has been carried out to establish the foreseeable demand on and subsequent capacity for use of burial grounds throughout the Wealden district during the Local Plan period 2013-2028.

5.2 Using the Office for National Statistics 2012-based population projection Wealden’s population is due to grow by 6.5% during the Local Plan period; there is not only a growth in overall population forecast but significantly there will be an increase in older residents (65+ age group). Therefore demand for burial ground space moving forward will continue at least at the current rate, if not increase. Town and parish burial authority cemeteries in Wealden see an average of 252 burials every year and based on current capacity enough space for full body or burial of cremated remains will exist through to 2028. However, this capacity is not balanced across the District and certain areas will reach critical capacity before the end of the plan period; when looking at this on a plan, the north of the district is where we see full capacity being reached soonest and importantly, in some cases, before the end of the plan period.

5.3 Another factor to consider when looking at burial authority capacity is that sites have varying capacity for different burial types. Thus they may well have enough space for one type of burial but not another. Information received form Wealden funeral directors shows a distinct preference for cremations over full body burials: around 80% of funerals conducted are cremations, so burial plots for cremated remains are likely to be more popular in the future. It is also important to remember that not all cremations result in the use of cemetery plot as the ashes may be kept by the family and/or scattered.

5.4 Churchyards provide another source of burial plot capacity: we found that churchyards within Wealden have varying levels of capacity for the

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parish in which they are located. This results from our findings that, unlike local council cemeteries, churches place restrictions on who can use their sites. These are usually restricted to church members or local parishioners. Taking this in conjunction with the 13% drop in the number of Christians in Wealden over recent years it seems reasonable to conclude that churches, although a source of burial space will not take up a large proportion of the burial demand through to 2028 if they continue to adhere to their current restrictions.

5.5 Through our research we asked towns and parishes whether they had any expansion plans for their current cemeteries. Somewhat reassuringly, at sites where capacity is forecast to be critical before 2028, work is ongoing to provide more burial space.

5.6 Should demand and trends continue at a similar rate to recent years, our findings suggest that there will be enough space for full body burials to be conducted. However due to the increasing popularity of cremations over full body burials, an ever increasing number of Wealden residents will have to travel out of the district for a funeral due to cremations not currently taking place within the District. The big disparity between the number of deaths and use of cemeteries annually in Wealden, with the former far exceeding the latter, means that many Wealden residents must be making use of out of district facilities. This may be in out of district crematoria or otherwise due to the small numbers of burials that are taking place in Wealden’s churchyards by comparison.

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6. Appendices

Appendix A – Wealden population by age, gender, parish and religious preference

Appendix B – Questionnaire Response Summary Tables

Appendix C – Tables detailing future burial space availability within Wealden throughout the plan period (until 2028)

Appendix D – Details of all identified Burial Grounds in Wealden

Appendix E – List of Tables and Figures

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Appendix A – Wealden population by age, gender, parish and religious preference

Table 1.1: Population projections in Wealden through the Local Plan Period10 Total

population Population Population 2017 2023 2028 increase increase increase Population Population Population through to 2023 to 2028 the plan

period Wealden 155,042 5,526 160,568 4,605 165,173 10,131

Table 1.2: Death projections in Wealden through the Local Plan Period11

2023 2028 2017 2023 2023 2028 2028 Death Death Deaths Population Deaths Population Deaths rate rate Wealden 1,674 160,568 1.08% 1,734 165,173 1.08% 1,784

10 Table 1.1 Source: calculated using 2012-based SNPP (ONS) 11 Table 1.2 Source: ESiF Deaths by broad age groups, 1991-2014 – districts

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Figure 5.1: Population of Wealden Parishes by gender (2011)12

12000

10000

8000

6000 Population 4000 Females Males 2000

0

Parish

12 Figure 5.1 ESiF Population by age and gender in 2011 - parishes

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Figure 5.2: Population of Wealden Parishes by age group (2011)13

25000

20000

15000

65+

Population 10000 45-64 30-44

5000 15-29 0-14

0

Parish

13 Figure 5.2 ESiF Population by age and gender in 2011 – parishes

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Figure 5.3: Population (estimate) of Wealden Parishes by gender (2015)14

12000

10000

8000

6000

Population 4000 Females Males

2000

0

Parish

14 Figure 5.3 ESiF Population projections 2015 - parishes

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Figure 5.4: Population (estimate) of Wealden Parishes by age group (2015)15

25000

20000

15000

65+ Population 10000 45-64 30-44 5000 15-29 0-14

0

Parish

15 Figure 5.4 ESiF Population projections 2015 – parishes

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Table 1.3: Proportional breakdown of the population by religion for Wealden Parishes in 2011 and District wide change between 2001 and 201116

16 Table 1.3 ESiF Religion in 2001 – Parishes and ESiF Religion in 2011 – Parishes

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Appendix B – Questionnaire Response Summary Tables Table 2.1: Wealden Town & Parish Council Burial Authority Responses17

Total Burials Percentage Dates between Percentage Percentage of burials (during of burial of Location which data was of full body that were Inflow given time cremated supplied burials (non-parishioners) period) remains

Crowborough 2012-2016 178 59% 41% 21% Danehill 2008-2015 98 73% 27%

Fletching 13 92% 8% 2013-2016 Comment about often taking people from Forest Row 2010-2016 121 60% 40% outside the parish (Ashurst wood) Popular with & Willingdon & 1998-2015 938 70% 30% Polegate Jevington residents but often no further Heathfield & 2006-2015 127 48% 52% Waldron 2014-2015 Hailsham (indicative of 139 52% 48% most years) 2006-2015 131 66% 34% Uckfield 2006-2015 406 55% 45% Hadlow 1986-2016 66 91% 9%

17 Table 2.1: Source: Wealden Town and Parish Councils, collected 2016

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Total Burials Percentage Dates between Percentage Percentage of burials (during of burial of Location which data was of full body that were Inflow given time cremated supplied burials (non-parishioners) period) remains

Down Rotherfield 2006-2015 104 57% 43% Average 65.7% 34.3%

Table 2.2: Wealden Funeral Directors Responses18

Percentage of

Dates Percentage Percentage funerals that were Funeral between Total of full body of conducted in Director which data Funerals burials cremations Wealden for a Location was supplied conducted conducted non-Wealden resident (Inflow) Forest Row 2015-2016 50 14% 86% NA Annual Uckfield 150 20% 80% 5% Average Hailsham 2015-2016 288 16% 84% NA Hailsham 2015-2016 NA 21 total NA 5% Heathfield 2015 28 18% 82% NA Mayfield 2014-2015 NA 51 total NA 10% Polegate 2015 125 12% 88% 6% Average 16% 84%

18 Table 2.2 Source: Wealden funeral directors, collected 2016

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Figure 6.1: The location of Wealden funeral directors that were contacted during the Burial Space Audit and subsequent response rate19

19 Figure 6.1. Source: Wealden funeral directors, collected 2016

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Appendix C – Tables detailing future burial space availability within Wealden throughout the plan period (until 2028)

Table 3.1: Number of Burial Plots identified as still available in Wealden20

Burial Plot Designation Plots Town or Parish Full body & Child plots 4,702 Town or Parish Cremated remains 1,976 plots Town or Parish plots not designated 180 All Town or Parish plots 6,858 Church Full body & Child plots 1,476 Church Cremated Remains plots 1,418 Church plots not designated 997 All Church plots 3,891 All Full body & Child plots 6,178 All Cremated remains plots 3,394 All Plots not designated 1,237 Total 10,749

20 Table 3.1: Source: Wealden Town and Parish Councils and Churches, collected 2016

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Table 3.2: Number of Burial Plots identified as still available in Wealden churchyards by parish21

Parish Burial Plots we were made aware of Arlington Berwick 45 286 260 300 East Dean & Friston 170 East Hoathly 182 264 Frant 332 Hooe 28 Horam 62 Laughton Little Horsted 100 25 Mayfield 1000 69 5 180 120 Wartling 240

21 Table 3.2: Source: Wealden Town and Parish Councils and Churches, collected 2016

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Table 3.3: Burial Capacity (all plots) of burial authority cemeteries26

Time until Average Location capacity is number of where the reached at burials at town or 2015 Additional Burial Plot town/ parish town/parish parish Projected Dwellings Capacity cemetery council council is a Population Proposed (Total Plots) based on owned burial average use cemeteries authority (rounded to (per year) nearest year) Town/ Church Parish Hailsham 21197 329822 2000 69 29 Years

Hellingly 2325 3023 886 13 68 Years

Willingdon & 7478 72624 1235 233 52 24 Years Jevington Heathfield & 12074 21825 832 13 64 Years Waldron

Uckfield 15122 0 524 50 41 23 Years (Full (Full body) body) Crowborough 21716 0 233 21 11 Years*

Forest Row 5095 0 249 17 15 Years

Danehill 1956 30 10 3 Years*

Hadlow Down 841 266 3 89 Years

Fletching 1113 120 3 40 Years

Rotherfield 3299 333 10 33 Years

*Red cells denote issues in relation to timeframe for capacity to be reached.

22 Including surrounding area and strategic urban extensions in the parishes of Hellingly 23 Settlement capacity 24 Combined figure for development in Willingdon & Polegate 25 plus , Broad Oak, Punnetts Town & 26 Table 3.3 Wealden Town and Parishes, collected 2016

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Table 3.4: Burial Capacity by type of burial authority cemeteries Average number of burials Time until capacity is Additional Plots required at town or parish council reached at town or parish to meet demand within Town & Village Burial Plot Capacity owned cemeteries (per cemetery based on Local Plan period where year) average use necessary (2013-2028) Total Total All plots capacity

FBB CR FBB CR FBB CR FBB CR 233 21 11 Years Crowborough 65 168 15 6 4.3 Years* 28 Years 120

30 10 3 Years* Danehill Unknown Unknown 7 3 Unknown Unknown

120 3 40 Years Fletching 100 20 3 <1 33.3 Years 20 Years

249 17 14.6 Years Forest Row 158 91 10 7 15.8 Years 13 Years

266 3 88.6 Years Hadlow Down 100 166 3 <1 33.3 Years 166 Years

Hailsham 2000 69 28.9 Years

832 13 64 Years Heathfield & Waldron 510 322 6 7 85 Years 46 Years

886 13 68 Years Hellingly 736 150 9 4 81 Years 37.5 Years

333 10 33 Years Rotherfield 49 284 6 4 8.1 Years* 71 Years 24

41 Unknown

Uckfield Foreseeable 524 22 19 23.8 Years Unknown Capacity 1235 52 23.8 Years Willingdon & Jevington 460 775 36 16 12.7 Years 48.4 Years

* Red cells denote issues in relation to timeframe for capacity to be reached.

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Appendix D – Details of all identified Burial Grounds in Wealden

Burial Ground Information Plots Plots remaining

Responsibility/ Full Cremated Full Cremated Open Parish Site Name Address Opened Child Child Religion body remains body remains (Restrictions) Church Parish Unknown (capacity for Yes Alciston BN26 6UW 80 (C of E) Church the foreseeable) (Parishioner) Wealden The Tye Alfriston District St Andrew’s Church Alfriston Unknown Closed No Council BN26 5TL

Arlington Yes Church Arlington St Pancras The Street Did not respond Did not respond Conditions (C of E) BN26 6SE (Parishioner) Coldharbour Yes Road (Parishioner Church of Upper Arlington Holy Trinity Upper Did not respond Did not respond (C of E) Dicker and Dicker church BN27 3QB connection)

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Burial Ground Information Plots Plots remaining

Responsibility/ Full Cremated Full Cremated Open Parish Site Name Address Opened Child Child Religion body remains body remains (Restrictions) Yes Church Berwick St Michael’s & All Conditions Berwick (C of E) Angels BN26 6SR Not known 15 10 20 (Parishioner) Yes Church (Parishioner Church St Mary the Virgin Buxted Road 420 150 or on (C of E) Church TN22 4LP electoral role) Yes 1250 (Parishioner Church St Margaret the Buxted (Extende Buxted 456 137 12 Unknown or on (C of E) Queen Church TN22 4AY d 1923 electoral & 1974) role) Yes Church (Parishioner Buxted TN22 3AL 322 124 (Baptist) Chapel or church member)

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Burial Ground Information Plots Plots remaining

Responsibility/ Full Cremated Full Cremated Open Parish Site Name Address Opened Child Child Religion body remains body remains (Restrictions) Church Chalvington Church Lane St John the Baptist 520 100 150 50 Yes with Ripe (C of E) Ripe BN8 6AU Church Chalvington Church Lane Yes St Bartholomew 206 10 60 with Ripe (C of E) Chalvington (Parishioner) BN27 3TD Church Church Yes Chiddingly Chiddingly Church Lane 400 250 50 (C of E) (Parishioner) BN8 6HE Crowborough Herne Road Herne Road Crowborough 1901 4090 54 743 56 9 168 Yes Town Council Cemetery TN6 2NT Crowborough Crowborough Summersales NA Unknown (Site opening 2018/2019) NA Town Council Road Wealden Chapel Green Crowborough District All Saints Church Unknown Closed No TN6 1ED Council

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Burial Ground Information Plots Plots remaining

Responsibility/ Full Cremated Full Cremated Open Parish Site Name Address Opened Child Child Religion body remains body remains (Restrictions) The Street Parish Church of Cuckmere Litlington Church Saint Michael the Did not respond Did not respond Unknown Valley BN26 5RA Archangel Litlington

The Lane Cuckmere Parish The Parish Church of Westdean Did not respond Did not respond Unknown Valley Church All Saints BN25 4AL Danehill Danehill Church Lane 30 – 150 additional plots Danehill Parish 1850 320 Yes Cemetery RH17 7EU planned next to current site Council

Gilberts Drive Yes East Dean Church Parish Church of St (Parishioner East Dean 450 40 100 and Friston (C of E) Simon & St Jude and their BN20 0DL family)

Crowlink Lane Space East Dean Church Parish Church of St Friston 171 326 30 but level Yes and Friston (C of E) Mary BN20 0AU unknown

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Burial Ground Information Plots Plots remaining

Responsibility/ Full Cremated Full Cremated Open Parish Site Name Address Opened Child Child Religion body remains body remains (Restrictions) East Marks Lane Hoathly Church East Yes East Hoathly Church 300 90 50 with (C of E) Hoathly (Parishioner) Halland BN8 6EQ East Lewes Road Hoathly Church Halland Chapel Halland 72 42 Yes with (Baptist) BN8 6PL Halland Fletching Fletching Burial Fletching Parish TN22 3SS 399 54 100 20 Yes Ground Council St Andrew and Church Street Fletching Church Saint Mary the Unknown Closed No TN22 3SS Virgin Forest Row Forest Row Priory Road Forest Row Parish 1879 2688 148 10 91 Yes Cemetery RH18 5HP Council

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Burial Ground Information Plots Plots remaining

Responsibility/ Full Cremated Full Cremated Open Parish Site Name Address Opened Child Child Religion body remains body remains (Restrictions) Framfield Church Yes Framfield St Thomas A Becket Vicarage 1100 180 84 (C of E) (Parishioner) TN22 5NH Lewes Church Road, Nr Framfield Hope Baptist Chapel Unknown Unknown Unknown (Baptist) Uckfield,TN 22 5JL Church The Church of Saint Frant Church Lane Did not respond Did not respond Unknown Alban TN3 9DX Frant Church Holy Trinity A26, Eridge Did not respond Did not respond Unknown Hadlow Down Hadlow Hadlow Down School Lane Parish 1986 159 170 100 166 Yes Down Burial Ground TN22 4JF Council Wealden Hadlow Hadlow Down District St Mark’s Church Unknown Closed No Down TN22 4HY Council

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Burial Ground Information Plots Plots remaining

Responsibility/ Full Cremated Full Cremated Open Parish Site Name Address Opened Child Child Religion body remains body remains (Restrictions) Ersham Hailsham Ersham Road Hailsham Road 1872 7000 2000 Yes Town Council Cemetery BN27 3LJ Wealden High Street Hailsham District St Mary’s Church Unknown Closed No BN27 1BJ Council A22 Lower Yes Church Zoar Strict Baptist Dicker, Hailsham 1400 Not Known (Chapel (Baptist) Chapel Hailsham, attendees) BN27 4AT Shepherds Hill, Coleman’s Hartfield Church Holy Trinity Unknown 14 Yes Hatch TN7 4HN Church Street Hartfield Church St Mary the Virgin Hartfield 1532 30 288 Yes TN7 4AG

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Burial Ground Information Plots Plots remaining

Responsibility/ Full Cremated Full Cremated Open Parish Site Name Address Opened Child Child Religion body remains body remains (Restrictions) Heathfield &

Heathfield Waldron St Bartholomews Cross in Hand 1990 139 5 226 11 0 22 Yes & Waldron Parish Burial Ground TN21 0LT Council Heathfield & Theobalds Green Heathfield Waldron TN21 8BT Natural Burial 2016 450 50 300 449 50 300 Yes & Waldron Parish (approx.) Site Council Wealden Heathfield District Waldron Yes All Saints Church 500 Unknown & Waldron Council TN21 0RA (Parishioner) (C of E) Chapel Cross, Heathfield Church Punnetts Yes (Strict Heathfield Chapel Unknown Unknown & Waldron (Evangelical) Town, TN21 restrictions) 9BD

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Burial Ground Information Plots Plots remaining

Responsibility/ Full Cremated Full Cremated Open Parish Site Name Address Opened Child Child Religion body remains body remains (Restrictions) Scotsford Heathfield Church Ebenezer Baptist Road Did not respond Did not respond Yes & Waldron (Baptist) Chapel Broad Oak TN21 8TH Wealden St Peter and St Hellingly District BN27 4EZ Unknown Closed No Paul Church Council Yes Hailsham Hellingly North Street (Parishioner Hellingly 3720 90 186 662 74 150 Town Council Cemetery BN27 4DS or ex-P only) Church Herstmonce Yes Church All Saints Church Road 500+ Unknown ux (Parishioner) BN27 1QJ Chapel Row, Herstmonce Herstmonceux Free Church Herstmonce Unknown Unknown Unknown ux Church uxBN27 1RE

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Burial Ground Information Plots Plots remaining

Responsibility/ Full Cremated Full Cremated Open Parish Site Name Address Opened Child Child Religion body remains body remains (Restrictions) Church 12 (20 Yes Church The Parish Church of Hooe Lane Unknown 6-8 extra if (Parishione (C of E) Saint Oswald TN33 9HB needed) r) Church

Church St Margaret of Lane Isfield 514 30 56 6 Yes (C of E) Antioch Isfield TN22 5XR Church Church Yes Laughton All Saints Church Lane Did not respond Did not respond (C of E) (Parishioner) BN8 6AH Lewes Road Little Little Church St. Michael Did not respond Did not respond Unknown Horsted Horsted TN22 5TS The Street Church Saint Mary and St. Yes Long Man Wilmington Unknown Approx. 100 (C of E) Peter Church (Parishioner) BN26 5SW

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Burial Ground Information Plots Plots remaining

Responsibility/ Full Cremated Full Cremated Open Parish Site Name Address Opened Child Child Religion body remains body remains (Restrictions)

Saint Peter of Folkington Long Man Church Did not respond Did not respond Unknown Vincula BN26 5SD Parish Church of High Street Church Maresfield Saint James the Nutley Unknown 25 Yes (C of E) less Nutley TN22 3NN Church Maresfield Christ Church Did not respond Did not respond Yes (C of E) TN22 3BG Wealden High Street District St. Bartholomew’s Maresfield Maresfield Unknown Unknown Yes Council Church TN22 2EH (C of E) High Street Mayfield & Church Yes St. Dunstan’s Church Mayfield 2352 500 500 Five Ashes (C of E) (Parishioner) TN20 6AB Church Church Pre Yes Ninfield St Mary the Virgin Lane 1136 19 50+ (Parish (C of E) 1900 TN33 9JW Connection)

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Burial Ground Information Plots Plots remaining

Responsibility/ Full Cremated Full Cremated Open Parish Site Name Address Opened Child Child Religion body remains body remains (Restrictions) Church Pevensey St Nicolas Church BN24 5LE Unknown 5 (others for re-use) No (C of E) Unknown High Street Polegate Church Saint John’s Unknown Unknown if it has BN26 5BX BG

Rotherfield Hornshurst Burial Eridge Lane Rotherfield Parish Ground or New 508 200 49 284 Yes TN6 3JU Council Burial Ground Wealden Church Rotherfield District St Denys’ Church Road 1507 Closed No Council TN6 3LG Burial of Church Rotherfield St Mark’s TN6 3PG Did not respond Did not respond ashes (C of E) only The Street Church Unknown (capacity for Yes Selmeston Selmeston Church Selmeston Unknown (Local (C of E) the foreseeable) BN26 6UD Connection)

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Burial Ground Information Plots Plots remaining

Responsibility/ Full Cremated Full Cremated Open Parish Site Name Address Opened Child Child Religion body remains body remains (Restrictions) No limit Uckfield Snatts Road Snatts Road set- Uckfield 1884 4024 616 524 Yes Town Council Cemetery TN22 2AJ space remains Uckfield Cremated Holy Cross Belmont Road Uckfield Town Council 241 0 50 remains Churchyard TN22 1BP (C of E) only

Church St Peter and St Paul High Street Yes Wadhurst 1,000+ 20 10 150 (C of E) Church TN5 6AA (Parishioner)

Saint John the Unknown (estimate 50 Yes Wadhurst Church Unknown Baptist TN5 6PA years supply) (Parishioner)

Toll Lane Yes Parish Church of Church Bodle Street (Parishioner Warbleton Saint John the Lots (100s) Unknown or on the (C of E) Green Evangelist electoral BN27 4UG role)

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Burial Ground Information Plots Plots remaining

Responsibility/ Full Cremated Full Cremated Open Parish Site Name Address Opened Child Child Religion body remains body remains (Restrictions) Yes 1956 (Parishioner Church St Mary the Virgin Warbleton TN21 9BD (Newer 240 (84 double) 120 or on (C of E) Church section) electoral role)

Church Ebenezer Baptist Bodle Street Warbleton Unknown Unknown (Baptist) Chapel BN27 4RB Wartling Hill Wartling Church St Mary Magdalene Did not respond Did not respond Unknown BN27 1RY Wealden High Street St Mary’s C of E Westham District Westham Unknown Closed No Church Council BN24 5LP

St Luke’s Parish Stone Cross Westham Church Did not respond Did not respond Unknown Church BN24 5EB Gorringe Willingdon W & J Parish Gorringe Valley Valley Road 1955 2023 30 920 432 28 775 Yes & Jevington Council Road Cemetery BN20 9SY

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Burial Ground Information Plots Plots remaining

Responsibility/ Full Cremated Full Cremated Open Parish Site Name Address Opened Child Child Religion body remains body remains (Restrictions) Wealden Church Willingdon District St Mary’s Church Street Unknown Closed No & Jevington Council BN20 9HR

Yes (Jev residents, Willingdon Church Jevington Saint Andrew’s 398 233 church & Jevington (C of E) BN26 5QE member or on electoral role) Corseley Church Yes ((Ex) Withyham Road 206 21 200 (C of E) Cemetery Parishioner) TN3 9PP Sussex Church Yes Withyham Church Lane Unknown Foreseeable capacity (C of E) (Parishioner) TN3 9UD

St Michael and All Withyham Yes Withyham Church Unknown Foreseeable capacity Angels TN7 4BA (Parishioner)

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Burial Ground Information Plots Plots remaining

Responsibility/ Full Cremated Full Cremated Open Parish Site Name Address Opened Child Child Religion body remains body remains (Restrictions) St John’s Withyham Church St Johns the Yes Road 350 40 (Anglican) Evangelist (Parishioner) TN6 1RZ

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Appendix E – List of Tables and Figures

Tables 1.1 Population projections in Wealden through the Local Plan Period 1.2 Death projections in Wealden through the Local Plan Period 1.3 Proportional breakdown of the population by religion for Wealden Parishes in 2011 and District wide change between 2001 and 2011 2.1 Wealden Town & Parish Council Burial Authorities Responses 2.2 Wealden Funeral Directors Responses 3.1 Number of Burial Plots identified as still available in Wealden 3.2 Number of Burial Plots identified as still available in Wealden churchyards by Parish 3.3 Burial Capacity (all plots) of burial authority cemeteries 3.4 Burial Capacity by type of burial authority cemeteries 4.1 Wealden Burial Space Capacity Overview – Averages

Figures 1.1 Wealden Population projections through the Local Plan period 1.2 Wealden Death projections through the Local Plan period 1.3 Percentage change of Christians in Wealden compared to those who stated they were of no religion 2.1 Proportional use of town and parish cemeteries per year 2.2 Proportion of funeral types conducted by Wealden funeral directors 3.1 Time until burial space capacity will be reached in relation to the Local Plan period 4.1 Map of burial space within the District 4.2 Map showing future capacity at existing town & parish cemeteries within the Local Plan period 5.1 Population of Wealden Parishes by gender (2011) 5.2 Population (estimate) of Wealden Parishes by age group (2011) 5.3 Population of Wealden Parishes by age group (2011) 5.4 Population (estimate) of Wealden Parishes by age group (2015) 6.1 The location of Wealden funeral directors that were contacted during the Burial Space Audit and subsequent response rate

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Published by Wealden District Council Council Offices Vicarage Lane Hailsham East Sussex BN27 2AX Tel: 01323 443322 Fax: 01323 443333 e-mail: [email protected] Website: www.wealden.gov.uk