Council approves £2.4m for new burial ground for Oxford

Oxford’s dire shortage of burial space looks likely to be eased after the city council approved £2.4 million to create a ‘burial meadow’ near Horspath.

The 17-acre site off Oxford Road, currently farmland which is in South Oxfordshire but owned by the city council, is big enough to accommodate burials for 45 years. The site is opposite Oxford United’s training ground and alongside Horspath Athletics Ground.

Oxford City Council’s cabinet decided to proceed with the plan after being presented with a report at its September 13 meeting.

Cllr Susan Brown, who chaired the meeting, said: “I can only welcome this report. It’s been a long time coming and we know how hard it has been to get to this point.

“So I think we can all very warmly welcome the fact that we are actually able to deliver this burial space which is much needed and much wanted and I think this is a really good project.”

A planning application to South Oxfordshire District Council is expected in the Autumn. The site will feature new trees, wildflower meadows and paths linking to Shotover Woods.

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