A ROW over plans to convert part of a woodland into a cemetery has deepened with campaigners and the council trading blows.

What is the dispute about?

Knowsley Council first announced its plans to buy part of Whiston Woods from the Forestry Commission to convert into cemetery space last year.

The council said the move, which could cost £2.6m including £700k to buy the land, was needed because the existing cemetery at Fox’s Bank Lane was reaching capacity and would run out of spaces in the next three years.

News of the plan led to the formation of a campaign group of furious residents.  Members of Save Whiston Woods have since been vocal in opposition to the plans, stating that it would destroy a much-loved community space and arguing that the council should find an alternative location.

Knowsley Council has said public access to the woodland would remain as part of the plans and instead would lead to “significant improvements” within the space.

Earlier this year a consultation was launched over the plans, which would require planning permission from St Helens Council as the land is situated in the borough.  The consultation was later extended but has now closed for comments.

Campaigners have questioned why the council couldn’t use a plot of land it already owns situated next to the existing cemetery, which the group said they believed had previously been identified as a site to be used for its extension.

In an article published in the council’s communications site Knowsley News in May, Knowsley Council denied there was any other land already designated for the cemetery’s expansion.

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However, campaigners stated last week that information obtained about the original planning application for the site in 1994 shows several phases which were intended to be carried out to ensure 100 years of provision from cemetery plots.

A map obtained from the council and seen by the LDRS depicts four phases for the cemetery, with the planning application lodged for the initial phase in 1994.  A further application was made and granted in 2012 for phase two of the plans.

Save Whiston Woods spokesperson Jaki  Fox said the map shows there was a clear “intent” to build on the land next to the cemetery.

Last week, the group launched a petition and published a statement accusing the council of not telling the truth about the original plans for site and falsely calling the claims of Save Whiston Woods “misleading.”

Save Whiston Woods 'demands apology'

The petition states: “The Save Whiston Woods group was accused of misleading the public on multiple occasions by councillors and officers at Knowsley Council, including its CEO, Mike Harden. As documents now begin to surface, we now demand a full, official apology from the council and individuals.

“Campaigners have maintained at meetings and in emails that Knowsley Council owns land directly adjacent to the existing cemetery on Foxes Bank Lane, which could be used rather than turning Whiston Woods into a formal cemetery with roads and other infrastructure.

“The council have denied this on every occasion and have told us that it was never designated as cemetery space.  They have accused us on multiple occasions of spreading misinformation. Documents have now surfaced which confirm what campaigners have been saying.”

A statement also produced by the group states that the recent consultation was flawed because of “false information” presented to local residents.

Ms Fox said: “All along they’ve said we’ve given out misinformation, but it wasn’t us who hadn’t told the truth about the plans for the cemetery.”

Shortly after the group went public with their claims, Knowsley Council updated its article on the Knowsley News website.

The updated article states: “In the original planning application for the cemetery in 1994, a plan showed the proposed site for the cemetery and highlighted surrounding land as potential land for future phases of development.

“Planning permission was only given for the initial phase of the cemetery. The permission specifically excluded the land in the application that had been suggested for potential expansion.

“The adjacent land retained its designation as greenbelt up until Knowsley’s latest Local Plan (adopted in 2016) when it was included as part of the proposed Halsnead Garden Village.”

The council also hit out on Twitter, condemning what was described as “personal attacks” on council officers.

What has Knowsley Council said?

Knowsley Council was contacted about the Save Whiston Woods campaign and a spokesperson said: “We are aware of the petition that has been launched by the campaigners against the current proposals to extend Knowsley Cemetery.

“We would urge all those involved or interested in the proposals, and the background to them, to read our ‘For the Record’ article on KnowsleyNews.co.uk (search for Whiston Woods, or go to: https://www.knowsleynews.co.uk/proposals-for-whiston–woods/)

“This clearly outlines the whole background including the outcome of previous planning decisions including the 1994 application – which for the avoidance of doubt did NOT approve future phases of development nor did it designate land for expansion, as is being stated by campaigners.”