News / bristol city council
Six alternative sites were considered for a new cemetery but discounted
Six alternative sites that were considered for a new cemetery in Bristol can be revealed for the first time.
Councillors previously requested this information but details had not been made publicly available until now thanks to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request.
In 2024, Bristol City Council controversially agreed to expand South Bristol Cemetery onto nearby farmland,
with the FOI revealing that six other locations across the city were previously explored but then discounted.
The sites were in Avonmouth, Eastville, Horfield, Lawrence Weston and Southmead.
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Council officers assessed if they were suitable for becoming a cemetery between 2020 and 2022, but they were found to have a range of issues such as transport access and community use value which made them unsuitable.
Instead, the council initially proposed expanding South Bristol Cemetery onto meadows used by Yew Tree Farm, the last working farm in the city.
This prompted outrage and that plan has now been rolled back, although a threat remains as potential drainage options remain unresolved.
South Bristol Cemetery & Crematorium in Bedminster Down is located next to Yew Tree Farm – photo: Emily Brown
The first site considered for a new cemetery for Bristol was on agricultural land in Avonmouth, covering 135 hectares between the M49, Severn Road and a railway line. This was discounted due to groundwater levels, and the many drains and watercourses running through the area.
The second site was in Lawrence Weston, covering 30 hectares next to Kings Weston Lane and the M5. It is the site of the former Long Cross tip which operated during the 1960s and 70s, and received a mix of domestic and industrial waste from Avonmouth, including chemicals and “mildly radioactive wastes”.
The third site was also in Lawrence Weston, covering seven hectares on meadows next to Kings Weston Road and Fernhill Lane. This location was taken forward for a further feasibility study, but was discounted due to potential damage to ecology and its poor public transport links.
The fourth site was in Badock’s Wood in Southmead, covering six hectares in part of Bowness Gardens. As well as groundwater issues, the site has archaeological interest including the Southmead Round Barrow, a protected ancient monument dating from the early Bronze Age; as well as being a site with “high community value” and a local nature reserve.
Also with “high community value” was was the fifth site considered, the Muller Road Recreation Ground in Horfield which covers 4.5 hectares.
The sixth and final site was Eastville Park and Wickham Glen, covering 35 hectares. This too was considered to have high community use value and so was discounted.
Main photo: Martin Booth
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