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Mark Inskip
Liberal Democrat District and Parish Councillor for Sutton Learn more
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In the words of Kirsty and Phil…
by markinskip on 4 August, 2020
Let’s assume for the moment that the demand for a new crematorium in East Cambridgeshire District can be established (not itself a certainty). Then to be successful we need to maximise the market it services and minimise the competition. In the words of Kirsty and Phil it’s “Location, Location, Location”.
The primary factor determining which crematorium people choose to use is the travel distance. Cremation cost and quality of service are very much secondary considerations. In other words what really matters is location, location, location.
The Conservative councillors on the district council argue that residents in East Cambridgeshire district need a new crematorium and that the best location is Mepal Outdoor Centre. Yet look at the map above; the grey area outlined in red is East Cambridgeshire and the blue dot is the Outdoor Centre, the location proposed for the new crematorium. The site sits on the border with neighbouring Fenland district. It’s 33 minutes by car from Bottisham, 35 minutes by car from the controversial new Kennett village development and 41 minutes by car from Woodditton.
What benefit to Woodditton residents is a new crematorium 41 minutes away when the existing West Suffolk crematorium is 25 minutes away? What benefit is a new crematorium 33 minutes travel away to Bottisham residents when the existing Cambridge City crematorium is just 20 minutes away? And for the planned Kennett development what benefit is a new crematorium 35 minutes away when the existing West Suffolk crematorium is just 12 minutes away?
What is obvious from the map is that if the objective is to build a crematorium to serve as many East Cambridgeshire residents as possible then Mepal is not the place to build it.
But that isn’t the only problem with building a new crematorium at the Outdoor Centre. Its whole viability could be threatened by competition.
Mepal Outdoor Centre is just 12 minutes away from the well established Fenland Crematorium on the outskirts of March. We have already determined that residents in the south and east of the district are unlikely to switch to the new crematorium at the Outdoor Centre because they have much closer existing facilities. Worse still the proposed location would put a new crematorium in direct competition with an existing crematorium in March run by Dignity, the country’s larger private operator of crematoria.
Is there really enough business to support two crematoria in this corner of Cambridgeshire? Can two such closely located facilities survive long term?
If, like me, you think Mepal Outdoor Centre is the wrong location for a crematorium and that the council should instead engage with residents of the district and others interested in helping to build a successful future for Mepal Outdoor Centre as a leisure and learning centre sign the petition https://www.ecld.org.uk/moc
12 Comments
I think that we are all well aware that the village’s of Kennett, Bottisham et al, would not benifit from a cremetorium in mepal but look at the surrounding villages and area that would. We in Witcham, have to travel either into Cambridge or March to attend a funeral, both destinations taking over half a hour. On busy traffic days the cambridge location can take up to a hour of travel then parking is usually an issue.
I agree that the whole issue has been conducted in an underhand way, but even as a Lib Dem supporter, your argument does come across as a “no” because its a proposal made by the enemy. On a personal note, i would love to see the outdoor centre revived, i learnt to windsurf there and have a lot of happy memories of the centre. But am awaŕe of why it failed and fell into disrepair, and was then left to rot away for years. If it was a viable, profitable project, it would still have been up and running. And, may I ask, would the residents of Kennett and Bottisham benefit from it? Sorry, I just feel that it’s a spurious argument.
There are a couple of reasons why it’s a ‘no’ from me for a crematorium at Mepal Outdoor Centre and neither are because it’s a decision made by “the enemy”. I’ve like to see much more open and transparent working at East Cambs District Council. It shouldn’t be a “them and us”, all councillors should be working together for the benefit of local residents. I thought we had seen a change of heart when the council came together to support the plan for a cross-party COVID-19 recovery working party.
It’s a no because I want to see the council explore options to get the outdoor centre revived rather than written off. And a no because I worry that a crematorium in the wrong location is a huge financial gamble with public money.
the people have been saying since it was made public that the MOC is the wrong location and if a crematorium was to be built it should be closer to Ely to make best use of the roads( A10 and A142 and road to newmarket) especially as Cambridge, kings Lynn and March are the nearest crematoriums. Its a shame that ECDC didn’t think of asking people in the area their feelings and that some of the District councillors or leader of the Council were not brave enough to ask this question or stand up for the people they represent and fight for the correct location.
Mark,
Perhaps this is an investment for the future when they have developed all the land along the A142 into new homes ( a secret kept behind closed doors)the increase in people will warrant a crematorium to accommodate the increase in funerals in 50/60/70 years time. Of course this would be the first time in history that a council have shown a sign of forward thinking. Am I taking the piss of course I am, to think that any council thinks further than the next election is insane.
This is so very clearly the wrong location for a crematorium, even if another one was needed for the district. I agree with everything you’ve said here.
Not a good choice to say goodbye to loved ones with the digester at the side that stinks at times and mick Georges lorrys banging about behind it not a good place to put it either with such a lovely one at March I think it would be better nearer ely/Soham way as it is more central
Mark Inskip maybe I shouldn’t have said explain. I would like to express something much more positive about outdoor recreation and learning. I am a facilitator for Learning Through Landscapes, see https://www.ltl.org.uk/ and would be very keen to have a space that would be interested in supporting and providing training for teachers. There is proven research about the benefits for all ages to make use of outdoor spaces, including mental health, and as families live in smaller houses with less access to outdoor spaces I would have thought MOC is even more a requirement now than it ever was previously. I am sure the team at LTL would provide you with good information about the need for schools to have trainers and resources nearby, not only for private hire for those with resources to pay.
That sounds really interesting, I’ll take a look at https://www.ltl.org.uk/
Not only is there a crematorium a few miles away at March, but there are plans to build one off Kings Ripton Road, Huntingdon (see local press). In addition, there are three more at Cambridge, Great Chesterford and Kings Lynn. Does this area really need this number, not everyone opts for cremation. Would prefer the site to be used for outdoor recreation, country park, activity centre etc. for living people of all ages, something this area currently lacks and would help with the Government’s obesity crisis plans.
Is customer loyalty a thing for a crematorium? I plan on using it once, ideally less, with no plans to write any reviews.
It does seem fishy to put a service like this right at the edge of the area. Is this a wilfully daft idea so that when they announce what they really want to build there it seems less threatening?
Location wise – Soham would seem more central if a business case suggests a crematorium is required in this district – has a business case been presented so everyone can see it?
It might be worthwhile putting the locations of the other crematoriums on the map to highlight them.
The outdoor center was a fantastic facility that many groups from the villages used – particularly groups like Scouting and Guiding. Even if the main buildings weren’t used, the outdoor aspects still could be (lakes, climbing walls, paint balling, etc.) keeping it for leisure. Not everyone wants to go indoors for swimming or a gym.
It could stay as a leisure facility that could attract more people – e.g. a garden centre/nursery, with the hireable facilities as well on the lake / climbing wall etc. Have other options been discussed in public?
In short no there hasn’t been any recent public discussion of ideas to bring the Outdoor Centre back into use. Instead last Friday evening there was a closed doors meeting that decided that the council would fund and construct a crematorium, that did include an outline business case. However councillors are forbidden from sharing details of the report that was discussed. I don’t think I’m breaking any confidences by saying Lib Dems councillors objected because any option of re-opening was ignored and because we had serious concerns about the outline business case.