Plans for natural burial site for 2,000 graves

Up to 2,000 graves could be created on a wildflower meadow site grazed by sheep, if plans are given the go ahead.

Thoulstone Park is a 145 acre eco-leisure park at Chapsmanslade near Westbury, which currently hosts holiday lets, a restaurant, a farm shop and weddings.

Its owners are now asking Wiltshire Council for permission to establish a site for natural burials and cremation internments on the one-hectare meadow, with the burial ground operated by Leedam, which runs 10 natural burial grounds in the UK.

Wiltshire Council is expected to make a decision on the planning application by July.

James and Alka Hughes-Hallett run Thoulstone Park and were approached by Leedam with the idea.

"Our view is that people who have passed away would probably prefer to watch life going on, and from our point of view there's not much of a better place to watch life and watching it in a beautiful landscape," said Mr Hughes-Hallett.

He explained that the section for the burial ground would resemble a wildlife meadow most of the time.

There would be no stones or markers and graves would recorded by GPS instead.

The scattering of ashes would not be allowed.

An oak memorial panel with recycled glass name plaques would be available and families can have a native tree planted in memory of loved ones in the woodland at the park.

Mr Hughes-Hallett said natural burial had "got to a point where it's very much mainstream" and that they have already had people contacting them after they saw the application going in.

The park was established in 2012 on a former golf course that closed in 2002, with regeneration taking 10 years.

The application states that natural burial is the greenest available option for dealing with human remains, and appeals to people who care about the environment and biodiversity.

Services will be conducted by established local undertakers and the applicant will hire a custodian to meet and greet families.

Mr Hughes-Hallett said there is an area nearby for gatherings that he describes as resembling a "cathedral of trees".

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