Residents of Oswaldtwistle are taking a stand against a proposed cemetery development on Green Belt land following the submission of a new planning application. Concerns over environmental damage, flooding risks, and traffic hazards have reignited local opposition.
A public meeting held this week, organised by local ward councillors and residents, was filled to capacity, demonstrating the strength of community resistance.
The plan, championed by the development arm of the Issa brothers, has been criticised as unnecessary and poorly thought out. Campaigners argue that the proposal would harm the rural landscape, displace wildlife, and exacerbate flood risks. The site, currently a valued agricultural area, could see high levels of traffic, with large funerals expected to attract over 400 attendees, leading to significant urbanisation of the green space.
Environmental and Groundwater Concerns
The proposed site’s geology and high water table pose a risk of groundwater contamination, potentially affecting nearby allotments, gardens, and waterways. Seasonal flooding already impacts the land, raising fears that the development could worsen environmental conditions and harm local aquifers, springs, and ecosystems downstream.
Distrust in Developers’ Record
The community’s mistrust of Monte Blackburn Ltd, the Issa brothers’ development firm, stems from past planning issues. Frontier Park, a project on the same road, has faced widespread criticism for unauthorised expansions and reliance on retrospective permissions, prompting concerns about potential regulatory breaches with the cemetery proposal.
Safety and Sustainability Challenges
The increase in traffic from daily funerals, particularly large events drawing hundreds of mourners, has raised alarms over safety on Blackburn Road, described as “Oswaldtwistle’s most dangerous road.”
The development also contradicts Hyndburn Borough Council’s climate emergency declaration by encouraging long-distance travel. Campaigners point out that most visitors to the site would travel by car, further contributing to the area’s carbon emissions.
Impact on Local Wildlife and Heritage
Protected species such as red-listed birds, bats, and deer are at risk of displacement, while the agricultural heritage and rural aesthetic of the land would be permanently altered. Campaigners stress that the area’s cultural and environmental value must be preserved.
Claims of Exclusion
Opponents argue that the proposed cemetery would largely cater to one religious group, excluding the majority of Oswaldtwistle residents. They highlight a needs assessment confirming that existing burial facilities in Hyndburn are sufficient for the next 90 years.
United Call to Action
The community is urging decision-makers to reject the application, citing long-term maintenance concerns and the risk of Hyndburn Council inheriting financial responsibility for an ill-suited development.
Disappointed by the MP’s absence at the public meeting, residents are pressing for greater political support. They have launched a website, saynothecemetery.com, alongside a GoFundMe campaign to bolster their fight. Campaigners are calling on the Issa brothers to reconsider, urging them to recognise the harm the proposal has caused to the community.
