A CREMATION company is applying for a retrospective change of use of an industrial space in Andover into a mortuary.

Andover-based Pure Cremation is applying for change of use of the space at Threadster Park, West Way, from Class B2 (general industrial) to Class B8 (storage or distribution).

The site lies on the west side of Walworth Industrial Estate, sandwiched between the West Way and Churchill Way.

According to the application, the deceased welcome area is located in unit 2 with a washdown area for cleaning trolleys.

READ MORE: Planning applications submitted to Test Valley Borough Council

The far east bay is used for the storage of coffins, ambulance trolleys and PPE. The remainder of the ground floor is used for storing the deceased in coffins which are placed on racks, five high.

Upstairs is used for offices for administrating and coordinating the operations.

There will be 24/7 operations, with the deceased being delivered in body bags by ambulances. From here they are moved to the transfer area where they are checked in and weighed so that they are placed in the correct coffin.

Within this area, they are also checked for any jewellery or personal belongings. They are then moved to their temporary place of rest.

The bodies are stored here until they are ready for their onward journey either to the company’s crematorium or to other crematoria.

The planning application said, on average, there are three inbound deliveries of the deceased per hour over a 24 hour period, and around 13 outbound deliveries during the working day.

Coffins are delivered twice a week using a 7.5 tonne curtain side lorry with tail lift.

The mortuary has four technicians and a manager. They are supported by a team of 18 administrators.

The site first got planning permission in 2002 for the erection of building, parking areas and hardstandings to provide building contractor's depot.

Later in 2009, it was granted permission for erection of five general industrial units and associated works.

According to the latest planning application, the site is "ideal" for a mortuary as it is "tucked away from sensitive receptors and makes good use of an existing modern purpose industrial building", and it "does not impact on neighbouring amenities".