Plans are in the pipeline to create a 15,000-plot eco burial site on the edge of Kendal.
Exeter-based Inspired Meadows already has permission to create a 4,000-plot urn burial site on 25 acres of land off the A65 between Summerlands and Endmoor – but its long-term aim is to offer full eco-burials.
Initial work is taking place to create a main entrance, 200 urn burial plots and planting for around 1,000 trees.
The firm gained planning permission for the site in 2019 – but said Covid had caused major delays to work starting on site.
While it is currently able to facilitate urn burials on site, it is still working on gaining planning permission to offer full eco-burials on site.
The firm’s director of operations – Ellie – declined to give her surname, and told Cumbria Crack that the hope was to offer 15,000 eco-burial plots on the site, but also added that the exact figure is to be confirmed.
Ellie added: “It has been quite a lengthy process. We bought the site prior to Covid, so it has been a big delay. It’s taken quite a few years, which is why the work has only just started, as it was as soon as we’ve been able to.
“It has to do with a lot of the testing on the site to make sure people are able to be buried there, that it won’t affect local water systems and surrounding farms, so it has been an extremely lengthy process.
“But it is a really exciting time for us now. We’re really excited to see the progress of the site in the next couple of weeks and months and we’re excited that our clients that have joined us on the journey are as passionate as we are.
“A lot of land these days is being used up by houses, so its important that we have something to counteract the damage that the new builds are having on the environment.
“We are bringing the environment back to Kendal with our site.”
Inspired Meadows currently has planning permission for 4,000 urn burial plots, 36 car parking spaces, toilets and a groundsman’s store on the site.
Ellie said the firm was aiming for the site to be less formal than a conventional cemetery and more of a landscaped natural space.
She said: “What we are doing is a little bit different to other natural burial sites. We’re trying to bridge the gap between traditional and natural burials.
“Obviously it’s very regimented in terms of the physical burial process, in terms of you don’t get embalmed so it’s better for environment and we use eco-friendly urns or caskets which again contain no toxic chemicals that will harm environment.
“But a lot of people find natural burial quite scary because you’re getting put in a field which is unmarked and you’re not able to walk around knowing there’s people beneath you.
“So what we’re doing is trying to find a perfect blend between a natural and traditional burial by creating beautiful pathways on site and giving people the chance to have a flat to the ground plaque on natural material.
“So eventually you’ll be able to walk through natural gardens to visit loved ones, walk their pets or even have a picnic.
“Because we’re planting so many trees and flowers we’re hoping to create new ecosystems on the site.”
The firm held an official launch for the site on November 28 where local businesses and Kendal mayor Jonathan Cornthwaite were invited to look at plans for the site.
Ellie added that around 600 to 800 plots can be created per acre and that the site hopes in the future to offer space for up to 15,000 plots.
She said: “At the moment, the site is a field, but it will rapidly develop over the next few months. It’s going to happen very quickly.
“We’re a new company, so we’re working on establishing good relationships with local funeral directors and providers.
“Kendal and the Lake District in general is a small area so we really want to create partnerships with people who respect clients as much as we do.”
It will also offer pet burials on site.
Inspired Meadows is aiming to create more sites across the UK, but declined to comment on plans going ahead.
Managing director Stephen Brown set up the company in 2017 after witnessing the increasing demand for sustainable and personalised end of life options.
