Inverness’s Kilvean Cemetery given the go-ahead by Highland Council planners for a new extension that will keep it operational until at least 2066.
A major cemetery in Inverness will remain operational until at least 2066 after plans for its expansion were given the green light.
Highland Council had submitted plans to add an area with potential for an additional 1830 new burial plots to the existing Kilvean Cemetery, which sits off the A82 on the south-western outskirts of the city.
This would expand the existing 5.88 hectare site, which typically handles around 185 burials a year, and would extend the site’s predicted operational life by another 10 years - taking it up to the year 2066 before reaching capacity.
The work will include upgrading of existing access tracks, widening them and adding passing places, as well as the installation of new footpaths and the construction of reinforced concrete plinths to provide the space for the new burial plots.
Planning officers have granted permission for the extension subject to a number of conditions which have been attached to the approval. These include the need for an archaeological survey of the site, protection for retained trees against any construction damage, and the planting of at least eight new trees to compensate for those that would be lost in the development of the land.
The location of car parking at the extension has also been moved to take it further away from the nearby Beauly-Nairn overhead overhead electrical power lines.
Describing their plans in a supporting statement lodged with the application, Highland Council said: "The construction of reinforced concrete plinths will create 1830 new lairs and extend the expected life of the existing cemetery by approximately 10 years
"The construction of 1.2m wide unbound footpaths will provide access throughout and a boundary path will connect to the existing cemetery.
"The existing field is currently undulating. Therefore, as part of the works the field will be completely regraded to provide a more uniform grade.
"Installation of a new perimeter chain-link fence which will match the existing cemetery in height."
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