CIVIC chiefs have given the green light to a new crematorium in Hampshire.

Test Valley councillors approved plans to allow a new crematorium along with a garden of remembrance and associated facilities to be built in Romsey.

The nearest crematoriums to the market town are currently in Southampton, Basingstoke or Salisbury.

The news was welcomed by faith leaders in Romsey, including the town vicar, the Rev Tim Sledge.

He said: “I’m pleased. I think there are some concerns over the design to make sure it’s the best possible lay out it can be but I think it’s going to make a huge difference to families in this area.

“It will save people going backwards and forwards to Southampton crematorium and on to memorial services and receptions. I think it will smooth the path for people at a really difficult time.”

The company behind the plan, Westerleigh, has built 13 crematoria across Britain and operate a further 20 around the UK.

Westerleigh bosses say Southampton crematorium is the 25th busiest in the UK and that Romsey residents had been positive about a closer service being built.

It is expected there will be four or five services per day at the site on land off Ridge Lane, which the managing director of operator Westerleigh Group, Richard Evans, said would remain largely green.

Designers insist the building will be naturally screened by existing woodland and hedgerows and “sophisticated filtration equipment” will mean there is no need for a chimney.

While the Romsey and District Society said they “applaud the opportunity” for the development, they said the design of the building is “hugely disappointing”.

They said: “The design is not bespoke to the site and is banal, out of keeping with the countryside setting”.

According to one resident living nearby who did not want to be named, the site used to be used as a quarry and was to be returned to countryside.

She said: “We didn’t go through all the pain of gravel extraction for 20 years in order for it to be returned to the countryside only for it to be turned into turned into something else.”

Speaking after the Test Valley Borough Council’s southern area planning committee in Crosfield Hall, Mr Evans said: “I’m delighted that councillors have agreed that to provide a much-needed new service to Romsey and the rest of Test Valley.

“We have known for many years that there has been a need in the area we feel honoured that the council has given the go-ahead.”