WORK has begun to extend Llanrhos Cemetery.

The work is expected to take four months.

The lawn cemetery will extend into land between Conway Road and A470, directly south of the current grounds. The new extension will allow for double and single grave plots plus burial plots for cremated remains.

There has been no major changes since the inital planning application was first submitted for the expansion in July 2021. This was for 639 double-depth burial plots, 180 single-depth burial plots and 749 cremation plots, giving a total of 1,568 new spaces.

The work also involves a lagoon and new drainage, landscaping and biodiversity features including bat boxes and bird boxes. New paths will link from the current grounds to the new space.

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Cllr Goronwy Edwards, Cabinet Member for Environment, Roads and Facilities – Infrastructure said: “We know that Llanrhos Cemetery is appreciated as a peaceful place to remember loved ones. This extension will ensure that continues, with burial spaces for the future.”

Construction vehicles will access the site via Crogfryn Road.

The public footpath running through the site has been closed while the work is carried out, but the work will not affect access to the cemetery grounds.

In June 2021, Reverend Samuel Erlandson, mission area leader for Aberconwy, spoke out after after inflammatory comments by Conwy County Borough Council member Andrew Hinchliff that “everyone should be cremated and thrown in the sea for all I care” during a planning committee meeting to discuss extending Llanrhos Lawn Cemetery.

Rev Erlandson said at the time: "There is quite a tension because, from a Christian point of view, we are charged with stewardship of the Earth and looking after God’s creation, so ecological issues are incredibly important, but at the same time have a tradition to look after, bury and care for the dead. It is a tradition that has involved burial but we have to realise that space is running out.

“A difficult point is, how long we can sustain burial of the dead?

“Personally, I don’t think any flippant comment in the chamber is appropriate in light of our responsibility to the dead and their families. Even if you are not religious, the ritual matters an awful lot to people.

“One of the issues is that when you detach yourself from death it’s quite easy to come up with very logical solution to the problem, but when you look at individual stories the pastoral need can outweigh other needs.”

He added: "St Hilary’s churchyard is a thriving example of how such a space can be used for wildflowers, beehives and tons of birdfeed being used. It is just as much a garden as it is site of burial of the dead.

“It is a beautiful idea that we could be buried at a place that is bursting with life.”