A DROITWICH church has run out of space for new burials and declared its churchyard closed and who will now maintain the grounds is under debate.
Built in the Victorian era, St Nicholas churchyard is the youngest of five in Droitwich and conducted its final burial just two weeks ago with the Reverand Nigel Byard.
Rev Byard said: “The churchyard is closed but only for new burials. There is still room for cremation plots and ‘second burials’ where family members can be buried in the same grave plot.”
Rev Byard said the churchyard is bound by roads, which means there is no more land left to buy.
“The only issue is for those who have an emotional attachment to St Nicholas, which we completely understand so we are trying our very best to help those families find a viable way forward.”
According to government legislation the Parochial Church Council can now pass responsibility of its maintenance to a parish or town council.
A spokesperson for Droitwich Town Council said: “We’re just a small town council and we don’t have the resources to maintain the churchyard ourselves so it will be passed to the district authority.”
A unanimous vote at Monday’s Town Council meeting agreed for Wychaven District Council to take responsibility for the churchyard’s maintenance.
A spokesman for Wychavon District Council said: “We’ll consider the matter once we’ve received the official notice.”
