New chapel and crematorium could be built in this area of Doncaster

Horizon Cremation is due to formally submit plans to Doncaster Council to build on a site off the A630 Sheffield Road/Doncaster Road near Conisbrough.

The plans include a one-storey structure taking the space of ‘two and a half tennis courts’ with a sedum green roof.

Around 120 people will be able to fit inside the chapel along with a car park of 100 spaces.

Firm bosses say the crematorium will meet ‘local need’ but it is expected to serve both Rotherham and Barnsley.

Horizon says the Rose Hill crematorium in Cantley is ‘very busy’ along with a similar site in Barnsley.

Rotherham is also set to be at full capacity in a few years as ‘death rates rise’.

Figures provided by the firm say 80 per cent of people now choose a crematorium for their service after they die.

If approved, it will be Horizon’s fourth crematorium after Largs and Glasgow in Scotland and Cannock Chase in Staffordshire.

Stephen Byfield, one of the directors of Horizon said, “Staff do the best job they can, but at busy times of the year local crematoria are unable to cope with demand and all of them are 50 or 60 years old.

“We will offer one-hour service times - significantly more than anywhere else locally - and our very presence will shorten the waiting times for a cremation at all the existing facilities.

“We want to build a beautiful facility for people in and around Doncaster. There’s no doubt this is needed and we are hoping to get lots of feedback from local people during our consultation so the building ends up as one everyone can be proud of.”

Horizon is holding a public exhibition on the proposals at the Ivanhoe Centre on Gardens Lane in Conisbrough, DN12 3JX at the following times:

Between 1.30pm and 4.30pm on Saturday, January 25

Between 2pm and 6pm on Monday, January 27.