PROPOSALS to extend a church graveyard have been refused.

A planning application submitted to Flintshire Council by Northop Parish Church requested permission to change the use of a site to the rear of St Peter’s and St Eurgains Church on Church Road, Northop

The change would provide an extension of the existing graveyard for ashes plots only, the document explains.

But Flintshire Council had confirmed the scheme has been refused by planning officers.

Rev Carole Poolman, Mold Mission Area Leader, said investigations had been undertaken in recent years to ascertain whether the site would be suitable for burials but it was found that the water level was too high. This was followed with the application to enable the extension of the site for ashes plots.

Last year the Leader reported on concerns over a growing shortage of plots available at cemeteries in Hope, Hawarden and Buckley.

Rev Poolman, who is overseeing St Peter’s and St Eurgains Church until the appointment of a new Vicar, said the refusal will come as a blow to the church, explaining: “As far as I gather the churchyard is full, or very close. Therefore it will have an impact and I know there are some people waiting for ashes of relatives to be buried so it will affect them.

“If Flintshire Council has refused permission we will be asking for an explanation.”

Andrew Farrow, chief officer for planning, environment and economy said: “Natural Resources Wales asked for further intrusive site investigations to be undertaken to establish the precise level of the water table at this location.

“Despite requests to the applicant for this information, it remains outstanding and no indication has been provided of when the details can be expected.

“As a result, we were faced with having to determine the application as submitted having given adequate opportunity for the issue to be addressed by the applicants. Once the information has been sourced by the applicant, they can re-submit that along with a revised planning application.”