A full business plan to build a state-of-the-art ecological bereavement centre alongside a beautiful lakeside setting at Mepal is to go before East Cambridgeshire District Councillors.

The plan for the council-owned land includes a crematorium, natural burial area, and a pet cemetery.

Set within flower meadows and woodland walks with views overlooking the lake, it will give the residents of East Cambridgeshire a beautiful and peaceful setting in which to say goodbye to and remember their loved ones.

The site has also been thoughtfully designed to protect and enhance the significant biodiversity and ecology that exists alongside the lake.

The use of solar panels will mean it’s one of the first electric cremators in the country to be powered by renewable energy. These release around 90% less carbon than a conventional gas cremator, supporting the council to meet its target to become carbon neutral by 2035.

The proposals will come before members of East Cambridgeshire District Council’s Finance and Assets Committee on 25 January.

The council is seeking approval to allocate a £9 million contribution of community infrastructure levy (CIL) money to build the centre. This is money provided to the council when new developments are built, to assist it in providing new community facilities. The money for the bereavement centre is in addition to CIL money already set aside for leisure, community projects and new infrastructure.

If approved it will provide the district’s first multi-faith bereavement centre, dedicated to supporting the family and friends of the 90,000 people living in East Cambridgeshire.

In addition to a 125-seat chapel with views overlooking the lake, and a smaller chapel for intimate gatherings, there will also be an area for woodland burials, memorial tree planting, a remembrance wall, lakeside walk and a pet cemetery. State of the art digital media will give families the option to use video and livestream services via the internet to mourners unable to be present on the day.

Council Leader, Cllr Anna Bailey, said: “Losing a loved one and coming face to face with grief is often the hardest thing any of us ever encounter. Death is very much a part of life and something we all need to come to terms with. But the people of East Cambridgeshire must often travel long distances, outside the area we love and are familiar with, to say our final goodbyes. This new bereavement centre will provide us with a beautiful, tranquil and peaceful setting where we not only go to say farewell to loved ones, but can return to again and again to keep them alive in our hearts. This is a unique offering, and, in my mind, there is nothing more precious we can give.”

If approved it is expected work will start on the bereavement centre as early as the summer, helping to transform what is a derelict brownfield site, prone to anti-social behaviour, into a much needed community facility.

Anna added: “This is very much a community project. As it progresses, we will keep residents informed of our plans and look at ways we can work together to provide the best service we can for the people of East Cambridgeshire.

“For many years this site has been unloved. Following an arson attack and closure as an outdoor centre, the council has been open to ways we can breathe new life into the site. The council worked cross-party to try to secure a new operator to continue the leisure use of the site, but despite huge efforts on two occasions the only provider that showed interest decided it just wasn’t viable.  What we now know about this site, and it’s a cause for celebration, is that rare and nationally important species have made the site home, including otters, rare pond plants, bats and fieldfares.

“Their existence has led to the lake being declared a County Wildlife site, with the Wildlife Trust confirming it is no longer suitable for use for recreational activities such as sailing, canoeing and paddle-boarding.

“Over the years the site has also been a target for anti-social behaviour, including two arson attacks. The first of these, which took place in December 2016, destroyed the main buildings, caused the closure of the centre, and could easily have led to more catastrophic consequences.

“Doing nothing would require the council to pay for proactive ecological management and the continued provision of expensive security arrangements.”

Instead, over the last few years the council, which prides itself on coming up with innovative solutions to support the community in which it serves, has been developing a business case to transform the site into something not only needed in the district, but also capable of generating an income stream, which in turn can be used to benefit residents.

Anna explained: “Despite rises in inflation and challenges around the cost of living, East Cambridgeshire District Council remains the only district council in the country not to have increased its element of Council Tax for over 10 years.

“The reason we are able to do this is because in 2016 we set up East Cambs Trading Company which is specifically designed to generate income for the council. This in turn helps us fund community projects and reduces the need to increase Council Tax. The company has benefited this council by £4.2 million, helping us keep costs low and affordable for residents.

“We are confident that because we already own the land and have proven experience of generating income for the council, within two years the bereavement centre, which will provide services to families at or below the market rate, will also begin to generate an income for the council. This will help support the council’s finances over the coming years.  This much-loved site will be able to continue supporting the wildlife that has made it their home, as well as providing a new service and support to residents at a time of need in their lives, in a beautiful and reflective setting.”

In addition to creating seven jobs, the site will also act as a nature reserve, with dedicated areas where people can walk their dogs on a lead and enjoy bird watching. The council is also exploring working with a club to resume fishing at the site.

For more information visit the bereavement centre pages on our website.