Plans for a £5 million crematorium near Earl Shilton have been formally abandoned by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, with the authority now confirming it intends to sell the land to a private developer instead.
The decision was taken at a full council meeting held on Tuesday, December 9, where councillors met behind closed doors to “consider the future of the crematorium site”. Both the press and public were excluded from the meeting.
Twenty-six councillors attended the session and approved a report recommending that the council withdraw from delivering the project itself. The council cited rising construction costs and difficulties in the contractor market as the main reasons for scrapping its original plans.
Land near Earl Shilton to be sold – with conditions
In a statement to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), the council confirmed it will now sell the land off the A47 Leicester Road, near Earl Shilton, but with a strict condition that the site can only be used for a crematorium.
A council spokesperson said any prospective buyer would need to demonstrate proven experience in developing crematoria. While a developer may be able to make use of the existing council-approved plans, the project would still need to go back through the planning process, including renewed highways and ecological assessments.
Project stalled for years
The crematorium site was originally granted planning permission in January 2019, with construction starting in early 2020. However, work stalled in 2021 due to national shortages of labour and materials, alongside poor ground conditions at the site.
Construction firm Kier Group had been appointed to deliver the £4.6 million project, which was originally due for completion in early 2022. Despite this, the development was never finished and has now been officially abandoned by the council.
Budget papers seen by the LDRS also confirm the crematorium is “no longer proceeding”, with £4 million removed from the council’s capital programme during a budget meeting in February.
What the crematorium would have included
The planned facility was intended to serve Hinckley, Earl Shilton and surrounding communities, helping to reduce waiting times and travel distances for cremation services.
Proposals included:
- A ceremonial hall suitable for multi-faith services
- Crematorium plant and equipment
- Office space for staff
- Memorial gardens and covered walkways
- New access roads and car parking
Council insists crematorium will still be delivered
Despite abandoning the build, council leaders insist the crematorium will still be delivered — just not directly by the borough council.
Stuart Bray, Liberal Democrat leader of Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, said the authority remained “committed to delivering a crematorium on that site, albeit in a different way”, adding that a confidential procurement process is now underway.
Cllr Keith Lynch, executive member for finance, ICT and asset management, said:
“I have always been committed to delivering a crematorium for Hinckley. This stance has not changed and never will.
It is important that our residents have an affordable facility close to home that reduces waiting and travelling times while creating local jobs.”
Only bids considered the best option for Hinckley and Bosworth, he added, would be taken forward.
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