by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporting Service.
An extension to the burial ground at Cerne Abbas is being proposed.
The 0.08 hectare site, off Abbey Street, is adjacent to the existing burial ground which is estimated to have only 5-10 years capacity.
Dorset Council is being asked to consider an application for the new site from Cerne Abbas Parish Council – the land currently used as agricultural grassland.
A Ground Penetrating Radar survey of the site has been undertaken and found nothing of archaeological significance, although the site is adjacent to the remains of a former Abbey, with a biodiversity study claiming that there will be a 10.5per cent biodiversity net gain from the new use.
A planning agent say that the fact the site is adjacent to the existing burial ground makes it easily accessible to the village, minimising the need for car journeys.
“No dedicated parking facilities are available to the existing graveyard and the proposed extension would operate in a similar manner. Additionally, the proposed development is required to meet a local need for the village for which no other community facilities are available,” said the agent.
He argues that although the site is within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty it will screened from the west by the neighbouring development, with the site viewed against the back cloth of the substantial wall which defines the boundary of the existing cemetery, with trees and hedges provide a buffer along the southern boundary. A post and wire fence is proposed with native hedgerow planting along the eastern boundary to enclose and limit views into the site from that side.
The area has been shown as open ground since the first 1880 edition of the Ordnance Survey, and no structures are recorded as having been located in this area.
The application, P/FUL/2026/00415 , is currently available to view on the Dorset Council website with the ability to also comment on the proposal.
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