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Aylesbury Crematorium

1032-D022A Public Consultation 13.03.14 Crematorium Design

A : View of Approach to Crematorium

Materials Key

1A: Vertical Timber Battens with Decorative Metal Backing

1B: Vertical Timber Battens with partially-obscured Glazing Behind

1C: Vertical Timber Battens with Stained Timber Backing 1A 1B 1C

2: Naturally-patinated Zinc Roof

3: Light-buff Masonry Wall with flush pointing

4: Built-up roofing system with Biodiverse Sedum Blanket

B: Crematorium from South-west 2 3 4

Haverstock Studio 10, Cliff Road Studios, Cliff Road, London NW1 9AN, tel +44(0)20 7267 7676, [email protected], www.haverstock.com Crematorium Design

Landscape and Visual Appraisal

Despite there being no significant landscape designations in the vicinity of the site, we are assessing the impact of the development on the surrounding landscape character and visual amenity, given its location in the countryside. The process considers the natural topography and vegetation of the area and through digital terrain modelling identifies areas within the surrounding landscape where the site and development are theoretically visible. The assessment covers an area within a 3km radius and passes judgement on the impact of the development on the existing and proposed views once the development is complete, and on the existing landscape character. Within 1km radius there are limited locations from where to view the site given the strong vegetated field boundaries which block and filter views; and the gently sloping topography. The site is only visible from locations to the north, on higher ground, on the opposing side of the Thame valley, 1-3km away, and set within a patchwork of dense field boundaries and agricultural farm buildings.

LEGEND LEGEND 3km 3km st st ud Site Location ud Site Location y a y a re re a a Zone of Theoretical Visibility of 65 - 75m existing site (eye level at 1.5m height) 75 - 85m The ZTV shows a worst case scenario as 85 - 95m beyond 1km of the site, the digital model 95 - 105m is generated using a terrain model only 2km 2km and does not include vegetation, physical 105 - 115m boundaries, built form or any other structures.

115 - 125m

125 - 135m

135 - 145m

145 - 155m

1 155 - 165m 1 km km

Figure 2 Drg No Figure 3 Drg No Crematorium Joint Committee Client Crematorium Joint Committee Client Aylesbury Crematorium Project Aylesbury Crematorium Project Topography Title Zone of Theoretical Visibility (existing) Title 1:25,000 @ A3 Scale 1:25,000 @ A3 Scale E: View of Floral Tribute Area

F: View of Rear of Chapel View Diagram

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The crematorium design makes itself legible by the use of two specific formal languages to identify the differing activities contained within: the waiting areas, porte cochere and administration facilities are unified by a single low roof element and have their requirements for privacy addressed through clerestory windows; the chapel and crematory are identified by Cane End Lane an upward-looking double-height volume clad in vertical timber rainscreen cladding and a dual-pitched sedum roof.

200yards200yards The design utilises the porte cochere as an identifier upon a well defined Site central axis of approach from the vehicular areas. This strategy, allied to Access the careful programmatic control of occupant movement internally, will Ground Floor Key: Cane End Lane Location Plan maximise the privacy and seclusion of the mourning parties. Route In

Route Out Vehicular and pedestrian site access Site boundary Caven 200yards distance from Farm Road neighbouring buildings Private Areas (Crematorium Act 1902) Existing buildings Location of overhead power line (approximate) Visitor Areas Water Extent of 200yard crematorium building exclu- sion zone upon site Overlooking from neighbouring Public Areas properties Existing hedge I Site Plan 020 40 60 80 100

View

View

Ground Floor Plan (1:100)

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C: Section Through Chapel

The double-height Chapel space relies primarily upon a full-height north- facing glazed wall to ensure a high level of natural daylight without problems of glare or solar-gain. The window is placed behind an outdoor buffer space in the form of the Chapel Cloister which provides a covered walkway to the Floral Tribute whilst also minimizing any light pollution from the site. The Gallery space to the rear of the Chapel maximises the flexibility of the building whilst maintaining the intimate scale of the interior. A long, linear masonry wall forms the remainder of the north facade and provides shelter for the external Floral Tribute at the west of the building, and shielding for the plant and ancillary facilities to the east of the building. The scale of the building is intended to provide a suitable human-scale environment for the grieving process to occur, with the double-height elements clad in a tactile natural material.

The external landscaping has a direct relationship with the internal chapel D: Interior View from Gallery of Chapel space through the large picture window and the formal gardens to the north of the site. The remainder of the site allows for a spectrum of natural, native landscapes - from specimen trees in the arboretum-type environment adjacent to the floral tribute to a much less formal natural woodland environment to the south of the site. Site boundaries will be well established from the outset to enable the Crematorium and gardens to operate independent of surrounding external planning impacts.

Chapel Seating Arrangements Haverstock Studio 10, Cliff Road Studios, Cliff Road, London NW1 9AN, tel +44(0)20 7267 7676, [email protected], www.haverstock.com Landscape Design

Landscape Strategy

The approach to site strategy uses two lines at right angles dividing the site into four. This allows the functions to be positions with some order and in relation to each other with some rationality. 01

The axis are used as the main 08 pedestrian circulation routes, north- south and east-west. A garden of 09 remembrance occupies the whole 05 02 04 north western quad with specimen trees set out as an arboretum and a 07 place to walk and contemplate. An informal path from the floral tribute 06 display area to the south of the site 12 and the chapel of remembrance passes through woodland along this path ashes can be scattered into the woods.

10 Site Plan Key 01 private gardens 02 service yard 13 03 chapel of remembrance 13 04 staff parking 11 11 05 west floral tribute wall 06 porte cochere 12 11 11 07 cortege waiting/parking 08 maintenance storage and garden staff 09 gardens of remembrance arboretum 10 woodland remembrance walk 11 overflow parking 12 drainage swale 10 13 existing retained hedgerows 03 Access Plan Key Congregation - vehicle route to car park

Congregation - pedestrian circulation 1 - chapel of remembrance - car park - chapel - floral tribute Congregation - pedestrian circulation 2 - floral tribute - woodland remembrance walk - chapel of remembrance - car park Cortege route (and service access)

Chapel of Remembrance & woodland N remembrance walk could be accessed separately without disrupting the congregation Site Plan (1:500) Access Plan (1:500)

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A quiet garden provides a contemplative view from the chapel with formal planting against a backdrop of specimen trees and open sky. This space is designed to be sublime, formal and a integral element of the design of the main gathering space of the building.

The entrance approach with open areas of grass could be in part wild-flower meadow. It comes to view not directly on entering the site but after passing through the woodland at the entrance. This allows mourners and the cortège to approach the building slowly, catching glimpses of the Formal landscape to main chapel window Woodland and arboretum building through the screening landscape. It is designed to be experienced as an ensemble of building and landscape.

The parking areas are in 3 clusters each of 40 spaces. They are removed and not on view but have direct access to the north/ south axial route leading directly to the building entrance. The top carpark is reserved for the cortège; Other users will fill the carpark from the top down.

01 formal landscape to main chapel window

02 woodland and arboretum Building frontage planting 03 building frontage planting

04 car parking and main entrance pathway

05 main entrance road approach

06 woodland and remembrance chapel

01

02

Car parking and main entrance pathway Main entrance road approach 03

04

05

06

Woodland and remembrance chapel

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Aylesbury Crematorium Sustainability Strategy Proposed Drainage Strategy and Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems

Our approach to the environmental design of the building follows the SUDS will be incorporated within the scheme where possible to both reduce Be Lean, Be Clean and Be Green principles: and delay the surface water runoff from site. As infiltration is not likely to be viable due to ground conditions, SUDS devices are likely to be in the form of onsite swales and attenuation ponds.Proposals for the crematorium building Be Lean: We will reduce the demand for energy by designing efficiency will also include a sedum roof which will help to reduce surface water runoff. into the very fabric of the building. Our focus is on air tightness, reducing thermal bridges and solar control, as well as optimising the thermal mass The car park area is to be built upon voided gravel in order to route surface Glulam Frame Construction of the areas being considered. Dynamic thermal modelling simulations are water across to onsite attenuation devices. Current proposals are to used to determine the best design solution for the building under real-world discharge the attenuated surface water flows from the development into operating conditions. existing ditches adjacent to Cane End Lane. These proposals are subject to a formal agreement with Buckinghamshire County Council, the Environment Be Clean: We will use energy efficient services that consume the minimum Agency and other statutory authorities. energy possible whilst also utilising heat and energy recovery to reduce base loads. All the essential systems have been considered for a long term Environmental Strategy: sustainable services installation: heating, hot water and ventilation systems, cooling and light. Heavy emphasis has also been applied to the means of 1: Timber Glulam Frame Construction is an extremely sustainable form of control, metering and monitoring. construction and is environmentally friendly in both production and use. Timber Louver Panels The overall carbon footprint of the building is much reduced due to carbon sequestration by the trees used to make the frame and engineered timber is Be Green: To further improve the sustainability credentials of the building in itself an effective thermal insulator. low or zero carbon technologies have been considered to provide energy 2: Solar Shading provided by the canopies, overhangs and vertical timber and services to the building. These include solar photovoltaics, heat louvres minimises solar gain and glare. This allows for better controlled pumps, sun pipes, double ventilated facades and natural ventilation. Our internal environments and passive control of light levels. approach to future-proofing also gives due regard to modern developments 3: Sedum Blanket Roofing provides added thermal mass to the envelope in cremator technology and the building is designed so as to provide a and in turn reduces diurnal temperature swings. It also attenuates storm platform for a true zero-carbon crematorium once the technology matures. water run-off andminimises rain-water drumming on roof. In addition Sedum Blanket Roof it provides a visually appealing surface treatment that enhances the relationship of the building and the rural landscape. 4: Natural Ventilation is achieved through controlled cross ventilation, providing a natural low energy ventilation system under normal conditions.

Summer Sun

Sedum Blanket Swales

Warm Exhaust Air Winter Sun

Natural Ventilation

Cool Intake Air Plant Controls Environment Diagram

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Key

1. Coffin Charger with an electronic ram 2. Charging Door 3. Cremation Door 4. Post Combustion Chamber 5. Cremation Burner 6. Post Combustion Burner 7. Ash Removal Door 8. Energy Recovery Chilterns Crematorium Joint Committee 9. Aerocooler 10. By-pass 11. Reactor The Chilterns Crematorium Joint Committee considers sustainability to be 12. Reagent Tank one of the key elements to running a crematorium and is proud of its record 13. Mercury Abatement Unit in developing sustainable practices. 14. Gas Extractor Fan 15. Chimney 16. Sampling Hole Cremator Plant: The crematorium presently uses three Evans 300/2 17. Heating Recovery Cremators, installed in 1997. These are constantly monitored and regularly serviced to ensure they are running at the greatest level of efficiency. The operating procedures are subject to consistent review in order to maintain best practice in line with current regulations. Image A shows the three cremators in the Crematory.

Heat Recovery: The cremator exhaust gases have to be cooled before passing through the filter. The heat exchanger recycles some of this energy to run the central heating in the building, reducing heating costs to a minimum. Image B shows part of the cremator filtration equipment installed in 2011 at a cost of £600,000.

Cremator Diagram Cremator filtration: Compared to even twenty years ago environmental protection legislation has drastically affected cremator design and operation which is now a fully filtered, closely monitored computerised process to ensure any pollution is minimised. The new crematorium will be fitted with the latest filtration system so there will be no smoke or smell. A crematorium also has to be licensed to operate by the local environmental authority. The licence is renewed annually and environmental health officers periodically inspect the process as part of their regulatory responsibility.

Cremation procedure: Cremators use a lot of gas and electricity. For technical reasons excessive energy can be used if all cremations are carried out on the same day at the funeral service. In order to reduce costs and the impact on our environment by ensuring better use of energy and minimizing carbon dioxide emissions (‘greenhouse gas’) the cremation may be delayed, sometimes by up to three days, although the majority of cremations are carried out on the same day or the day after the funeral service.

Composting and Recycling: Waste from spent floral tributes is composted on site and reused in the gardens of remembrance. All plastic (and paper) is separated from general waste and sent for recycling. A: View of Cremators in Plant Room B: Plant Room Mechanics C: Filtration Equipment Haverstock Studio 10, Cliff Road Studios, Cliff Road, London NW1 9AN, tel +44(0)20 7267 7676, [email protected], www.haverstock.com Transport

Existing Conditions Trip Generation Traffic Flows

• The site is located at the north west of Cane End Lane, to the • In order to obtain an estimate of the likely trip generation • The flows have been calculated on the basis of the worst case north of the village of Bierton in Buckinghamshire. associated with the proposed development, an automatic assumption that there will be a maximum of eight services • The site is currently in agricultural use and with the exception traffic counter was placed at the entrance to the existing per day including services at 0900 hours and 1600 hours. All of farm buildings directly to the south, the site surrounded by Chilterns Crematorium in Amersham from 8-14 February trips will use the Cane End Road/Aylesbury Road junction. agricultural fields. 2014. • The additional traffic in the morning peak will result in an • Approximately 350 metres to the east of the site Cane End • The crematorium at Amersham has two chapels; one with increase in traffic on the A418 of around 2% and there will Lane meets the A418 at a simple priority junction. From capacity for 150 people and another with capacity for 84; be no impact in the evening peak hour. the site, Cane End Lane turns south and is later renamed both also have some standing room available. Services • Over a 12 hour period there is likely to be an increase Rowsham Road. take place every 45 minutes. in traffic flow on the A418 of around 3.5%. This is well • Cane End Lane has been measured on site and found to be within the daily variation in traffic flow and will not have • From the data gathered, the average number of vehicle between 5.6m and 6.8m wide on the section between the a noticeable impact on the operation of the local road trips generated per funeral service was between 56 and 66 site access and A418. network. vehicle trips. • We are currently in consultation with Buckinghamshire Road Improvement Line • For the purposes of this assessment, it has been assumed County Council Highways department regarding specific that the services at Bierton will generate 66 one-way measures to ensure minimised impact on immediately • A protected road improvement line affects part of the site vehicle movements per service. This reflects the highest adjacent roads and properties, and further details are shown and safeguards land for a possible future Aylesbury Northern trip rate recorded per service at the Chilterns Crematorium. on the adjacent page. Link Road. This can be seen on the large plan below. • Discussions regarding the status of this improvement line have been undertaken with the Highway Authority, Buckinghamshire County Council. • It can be seen from the submitted drawings that accompany the planning application that the development acknowledges the presence of the Improvement Line across part of the site and provides a sufficient buffer.

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Highway Extents and Improvement Line

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Parking Geometric Design

• The analysis suggests that there will be around 33 vehicle • The site access is one of the key elements for control of traffic trips associated with each service. This number of trips can and will be designed and constructed to manipulate traffic easily be accommodated within the car park which has space flow to and from the A418 along Cane End Lane only. for up to 120 vehicles - 80 hard surfaced spaces with 40 • Traffic following signage is directed along Cane End Lane reinforced grass overflow spaces. from the A418 and reaches a clearly signposted right-turn • There is additionally space for up to eight limousines and for into the Crematorium site that is adequately spaced for eight staff vehicles. limousines and large vehicles. • Therefore the proposed parking provision can be considered • Traffic exiting the site reaches the same junction in the to be adequate to accommodate the likely demand. opposite direction and is directed straight ahead by signage. There is a high-kerbed island between the two lanes at Signage this point which will make it difficult to turn right towards Rowsham Road minimising disruption to residents. • Approaching the Rowsham Road junction on the A418 from Footway Links to Bus Stops on A418 Aylesbury there will be clear signs directing the traffic straight ahead in line with TSRGD regulations. • There will be a further pair of signs at the junction of Cane End Lane on the A418 directing traffic from the main road to the Crematorium entrance. At the site entrance there will be specific instructions to proceed straight ahead on exit, including a no right turn sign towards Rowsham Road.

Formal Entrance

Protected Route Protected Route

Cane End Lane Vehicle Tracking

Note: Maintained Sign: Site Access

Note: Maintain Vehicle Access

Aylesbury Sign: Crematorium

Sign:

House Key: Route In

Route Out Site Entrance Geometric Design Cane End Lane Roadway Dimensions

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Chilterns Crematorium

The Chilterns Crematorium was opened in March 1966 and is owned and operated by a Joint Committee on behalf of Aylesbury Vale, Chiltern and Wycombe District Councils.

The Crematorium is situated just outside Amersham on the main A404 Amersham / High Wycombe road. There are white gates at the entrance, which is clearly signposted, and a long driveway leads to car parking adjacent to the main buildings.

There are now two chapels in operation. The Hampden chapel has seating for approximately 60 people downstairs with extra room for standing at the back, and another 24 chairs in the organ gallery. The Milton chapel has seating for approximately 150 people with a spacious area for standing at the back. Other public facilities for both chapels include toilets and waiting rooms with hot and cold drinks vending.

In a recent survey of over 1200 users of Chilterns Crematorium, there was an expression of satisfaction from over 95% of those who responded.

Ground Floor Key:

Private Areas

Visitor Areas

Public Areas

Approach View of Chapel

Ground Floor Plan (1:150) Landscaped Garden View Chapel Interior View Haverstock Studio 10, Cliff Road Studios, Cliff Road, London NW1 9AN, tel +44(0)20 7267 7676, [email protected], www.haverstock.com Chilterns Crematorium

Landscaping (right)

The Garden of Remembrance which surrounds the Crematorium buildings is derived from an existing woodland, to which many interesting varieties of trees and shrubs have been added. Beneath the trees where the ashes are scattered there are flowering bulbs which come up year after year. Nearer the buildings there are a number of bi-annually planted flower beds and hanging baskets.

History of Chilterns Crematorium Joint Committee 2005 £2.1M project building the Milton Chapel was completed. The second chapel improved the quality of service by enabling the funeral time 1952 A meeting was convened by the Wycombe Rural District Council in to be extended from 30 minutes to 45 minutes. In addition it increased the February 1952, when consideration was given to the provision of a central capacity of the Crematorium by helping reduce waiting times for a booking. crematorium to serve the rising population of South Buckinghamshire, bearing in mind the increasing difficulties of obtaining sites for burial 2007 Aylesbury Vale District Council asks the CCJC to help identify a site grounds as existing churchyards and cemeteries became filled and no longer for a crematorium as part of its developing planning policy. available for burials. 2009 CCJC commission a consultant to carry out a feasibility study 1955 The Chilterns Crematorium Joint Committee (CCJC) was constituted on building a crematorium at Aylesbury. The study concluded that the on 24th March 1955 by agreement between the Amersham Rural District projected future population growth in the area, a crematorium was needed Council, Aylesbury Borough Council, Chesham Urban District Council, High sooner rather than later. Wycombe Borough Council and Wycombe Rural District Council. 2010 At its meeting on 24th February 2010 the CCJC confirmed its desired 1961 After 6 years of searching and following many disappointments intention to build a crematorium in the Aylesbury area and the search for a and frustrations, including the rejection of planning applications on two site was intensified. separate sites, on 26th October 1961 planning consent was issued for the Chilterns Crematorium at Amersham and the site was acquired for £3,500. 2011 £600,000 project to install cremator filtration equipment was completed. The prospect of even more stringent environmental legislation 1966 Construction of the Chilterns Crematorium was completed at a aimed at reducing emissions of mercury (mostly from dental amalgam), cost of £120,000. On 11th March 1966 the first funeral service was for Sir dioxins and particulates from cremations first emerged in 1999. The CCJC Norman Kendal, a barrister who lived in Chalfont St Giles. In the first 12 decided cleaner emissions were a priority and installed plant to enable months 957 cremations were carried out. 100% of its cremations to be filtered.

1974 Following Local Government reorganisation the constituent 2013 After 6 years of searching involving over 50 different sites, an Option authorities of the CCJC became Aylesbury Vale District Council, Chiltern to buy a site near Bierton was achieved. District Council and Wycombe District Council who continue to run the Chilterns Crematorium as a shared service to the present day. 2014 The CCJC’s aim is to achieve planning consent on the site and build Aylesbury Crematorium in 2015. Once open in 2016 the Crematorium will 1988 With the number of cremations being carried out predicted to reach reduce journey distances and times to neighbouring crematoria. It will 3,000 per year by the mid 1990’s the CCJC considered the possible future also relieve the pressure on the CCJC’s Crematorium at Amersham which, provision of a second funeral chapel for the first time. although not operating at capacity, is one of the busiest in the UK. This will help the CCJC achieve its overall aim of improving funeral service provision 1997 £1.2M project comprising four fully environmentally-compliant to all residents of the three districts and surrounding areas. state-of-the-art cremators and complete refurbishment of the ‘behind-the- scenes’ parts of the Crematorium including the provision of proper staff facilities. Examples of Chilterns Crematorium Landscape Haverstock Studio 10, Cliff Road Studios, Cliff Road, London NW1 9AN, tel +44(0)20 7267 7676, [email protected], www.haverstock.com Aylesbury Crematorium FAQs

Q: Where is it going to be built? Q: How far away from the nearest properties will the crematorium A: The proposed Crematorium is to be built off Cane End Lane north of be? Bierton close to the Hulcott crossroads junction on the A418. A: There is only one dwelling which overlooks the site and by law the crematorium building must be built at least 200 yards away from it. Q: What is the Crematorium Committee? A: The Chilterns Crematorium Committee runs the Chilterns Crematorium at Q: Who is paying for the Aylesbury Crematorium? Amersham which opened in 1966 and is a shared service provided jointly by A: The Chilterns Crematorium Joint Committee from within its own Aylesbury Vale, Chiltern and Wycombe District Councils. operating finances. To date the Joint Committee has reinvested surpluses in operation and environmental improvements. A mechanism is in place to Q: Where can I find information about Chilterns Crematorium? share surpluses between the constituent Authorities of Aylesbury, Wycombe and Chiltern District Councils. A: On the Chilterns Crematorium website - www.chilternscrematorium.co.uk Landscape around Crematorium Q: When will the construction work start? Q: How is the design being agreed? A: During 2015 subject to planning permission being obtained and the final Q: Have local residents been consulted? When? Will resident’s A: An architect was appointed who has worked closely with the officers costs signed off. comments be taken on board? and Committee members responsible for the operation of the Chilterns Crematorium, together with advice from the local planning authority, A: Residents in Bierton, Hulcott and Rowsham have been written to advising to ensure a design which primarily meets the needs of the bereaved, is Q: When will the Aylesbury Crematorium start to operate? them of the proposal and inviting them to this public exhibition where the practical to operate and in harmony with its surroundings. The current A: In 2016. plans are on show and members of the project team are available to answer consultation process is also viewed by the Joint Committee as a crucial questions. There are feedback forms available today. aspect of the design process. Q: What landscaping will be provided? There is also information on the Chilterns Crematorium website A: Landscaping is a major and critical part of the scheme. It will screen – www.chilternscrematorium.co.uk . Comments can be sent to Q: Why has this area been picked? views of the building and car park from outside the site as well as helping to [email protected] or in writing to: A: With a growing population the need for a crematorium in the Aylesbury create a pleasant and peaceful environment within the site both for those area has been recognised for several years with a site on the northern side attending funerals and visitors returning later to remember relatives and of the town considered the place which would best serve the majority of the friends cremated there and where their ashes may have been scattered. Aylesbury Crematorium population in relation to neighbouring crematoria. Many sites were looked Predominantly native trees and shrubs will be used and the overall theme c/o Georgina Copeland at and the chosen site met the criteria. will be low maintenance woodland and open parkland which will provide a Chiltern District Council better habitat for local flora and fauna compared to the current grass field. King George V House King George V Road Q: What pollution will come out of the crematorium? Will there be Amersham HP6 5AW smoke or smells? A: With the abatement and emission controls governing crematoria virtually none but in the past crematoria were often associated with smoke and Q: Hours of operation? smell emissions; modern filtration equipment has eliminated this. A: Provisionally it is intended that funerals will be able to be booked at hourly intervals starting at 9am and finishing at 5pm (finishing at 1pm on Saturday mornings and no funerals on Sundays or Bank Holidays). This Q: What site surveys are being done? means theoretically up to eight funerals each day but it is estimated that As well as surveys relating to construction and use there will be surveys to initially the crematorium will carry out about 1,000 funerals each year which assess any effect on the local environment, traffic and habitat and also means on average between three and four a day. landscape and visual impact. The findings will be taken into account in the layout, design and use of the site to help mitigate any detrimental aspects as far as possible. Mercury Abatement Plant and Filtration Equipment

Haverstock Studio 10, Cliff Road Studios, Cliff Road, London NW1 9AN, tel +44(0)20 7267 7676, [email protected], www.haverstock.com Aylesbury Crematorium FAQs

considered to be the optimum for a facility of this size and expected use. joints, etc., and metals used in the construction of coffins) are recycled There is a bus stop in both directions at the Hulcott crossroads and the through a national recycling scheme run by the Institute of Cemetery and possibility of constructing a footway along Cane End Lane to the site is an Crematorium Management and the surplus after running costs is donated option being considered. to ‘bereavement related’ charities. The scheme has been running for about seven years and over £1M has now been donated to charity Q: Can any faith use the crematorium? • Many sites use heat removed from the waste gases as part of the A: Yes – any faith can use the crematorium and services can be religious, filtration process to heat the building secular and it is possible to have a cremation only without a service. • Floral tributes are composted on site which is used in the upkeep of the gardens Q: Will there be scatterings in the surrounding woodland? • Plastic, the majority of which comes from the floral tributes, is recycled. A: Yes. Commemoration will also be available to purchase but the form this • Solar Photovoltaic electricity generation will take has yet to be decided. • Natural heating and cooling / ventilation

Access road to Crematorium from A418 Q: Will facilities be provided for pet cremation? Q: Will there be a burial ground? Q: How will traffic be managed? A: Currently it is not permissible to cremate pets in a cremator designed and A: No, this site will not be used for burials. A: Traffic management is a key issue for the Joint Committee project team licensed for human cremation which is covered by different environmental and will be carefully considered during the planning process and is being and regulatory legislation. Nationally there has been some discussion Q: What about noise from the crematorium? discussed with the Highways department of Buckinghamshire County about the possibility but to date no crematorium has applied to do it and A: This will be taken into account in the design of the building but in fact the Council. There is a good turning into Cane End Lane off the A418 at there are no plans to provide pet cremation at the Aylesbury Crematorium. noise level will be very low. the Hulcott crossroads which leads straight to the crematorium without passing any dwellings other than the one at the entrance. Signage will be Q: Will there be public access to the gardens? erected on the A418 and when exiting the crematorium directing traffic to Q: What highway improvements are going to be implemented? Hulcott crossroads and not towards Rowsham Road. Signage at the A418/ A: Yes. The Chilterns Crematorium chapel and gardens of remembrance A: This will be detailed during the further planning process with the Highway Rowsham Road junction will also direct traffic to Cane End Lane. in Amersham are open 365 days each year and even when ‘closed’ the Authority (Buckinghamshire County Council) being a statutory consultee. side gates are left unlocked for pedestrian only access to the gardens. The

intention is to provide similar access at The Aylesbury Crematorium. Q: What’s the catchment area for the crematorium? Q: What will the impact on wildlife be? A: A need has been identified in the north of Aylesbury for a new A: Full consideration on the impact on wildlife will be given. Predominantly Q: Is there a discount for local residents? crematorium facility. The main catchment area will be Aylesbury and native trees and shrubs will be used and the overall theme will be low the villages immediately south of the town which currently use Chilterns A: No. The Chilterns Crematorium is a publicly owned and operated facility maintenance woodland and open parkland which will provide a better Crematorium at Amersham and the villages in Aylesbury Vale to the north and all users pay the same fee. The same policy will apply at the Aylesbury habitat for local flora and fauna compared to the current grass field. of the town as well as nearby Linslade and Leighton Buzzard where the Crematorium. Historically services provided by the Joint Committee have nearest crematorium is currently at Milton Keynes. been less expensive than private operators.

Q: How many funerals per day? Q: Has potential flooding of the area been considered? A: The predicted usage of the crematorium has been determined through a A: This has been checked and the site is not on a floodplain or susceptible to study of existing usage patterns at the Chilterns Crematorium. Analysis of flooding. this robust data suggests that an initial use of three to four services a day is likely. The maximum capacity of the proposed crematorium is eight services Q: What sustainable features will be included in the build and per day on a one hour per service basis. operation of the facility? • The cremators to be operated efficiently throughout the day under Q: What parking facilities will be available? national guidance A: Currently the proposal is to provide car parking for 120 cars which is • Metals recovered from the cremation process (artificial hip and knee Solar Photovoltaics

Haverstock Studio 10, Cliff Road Studios, Cliff Road, London NW1 9AN, tel +44(0)20 7267 7676, [email protected], www.haverstock.com