The CDS Group were approached by a private client, who had planning permission for a new cemetery and associated chapel building and car park, to assess the feasibility of a change of use to a combined cemetery and crematoria.
We carried out an initial feasibility study, assessing the demographics of the region to ensure that the site was viable in terms of needs and met planning requirements for the positioning of a crematoria. We then carried out a detailed need assessment report which identifies through detailed drive time analysis and statistical assessment the likely cremation numbers for the site. A financial model was created to assess the feasibility of the development, including profit projections and running costs.
Once the site had been proven to meet the strict ‘need’ criteria for a proposed crematorium development, we undertook all aspects of the planning submission for the change of use, which included air quality assessments, ecological appraisal, archaeological investigation, highways assessment and many other detailed reports required for a large scale construction project.
The CDS Group also developed the design and layout drawings for the Crematorium, which was to be positioned at the location of and within the footprint of the chapel building which had already been given planning permission. In addition to the redesign of the building, we undertook redesigns of the soft and hard landscaping designs as well as the design of the proposed cemetery area. Working closely with our design partners, concept drawings for the new crematoria were designed by the Architects for the project following design brief meetings with the client to ensure that their requirements were fully understood.