Home Office involved in graveyard driveway investigations

The Home Office has been made aware of concerns over the potential desceration of a graveyard near Newtown after a road was built over part of its and stakes hammered into the ground.

MyNewtown reported yesterday how ancestors of those buried at Hodley Chapel said they were distressed that a road had been laid over graves at the churchayrd near Kerry and stakes for fencing had been hammered into the ground, including over graves.

It is understood the police could be asked to investigate the matter.

Today, Powys County Council confirmed it had launched its own investgation into a possible breach of consent into planning permission, as well as alerting the Home Office.

The matter was raised by Cllr Elwyn Vaughan, a Powys county councillor.

A spokesperson for Powys County Council said: “The council is aware of recent concerns being raised in respect to works being completed within the graveyard at Bethany Chapel, Hodley.

“Listed building consent was granted for the relocation of six headstones under application P/2011/0258, which was granted consent in February 2012. Works to any graves would require separate consent from the Home Office and the agent was made aware of this requirement.

“Planning permission has since been granted for the change of use of land to form a parking area and formation of vehicular access in June 2022 (21/0237/FUL). This application did not seek to relocate any further gravestones from the P/2011/0258 consent.

“The council has been made aware of concerns raised regarding the works ongoing at Bethany Chapel and have an open enforcement case where it is investigating a breach of condition in respect of planning consents 21/0237/FUL and P/2011/0258.

“The council can confirm that the agent and Home Office have been made aware of the concerns for their own investigations.”

According to Cllr Vaughan, The Disused Burial Grounds (Amendment) Act 1981 – states:

“Where any human remains are interred in such land no building shall be erected upon it otherwise than in accordance with section 3 of the principal Act unless:— (a) the human remains have been removed and reinterred or cremated in accordance with the provisions of the Schedule to this Act; and (b) any tombstones, monuments or memorials commemorating the deceased persons have been dealt with in accordance with those provisions."

A statement from eight surviving grandchildren of John Davies Lewis and Olive Lewis, and their grandparents William White and Martha White, who are all buried there, said: "We are all shocked and deeply upset to learn the graves of our ancestors have been violated without any consultation, none of us have had any communication regarding our opinions on this completely inappropriate development.

"There have been extensive excavations through the area of our family graves and call for reassurance that our loved ones remains have not been disturbed."

They said the county and community council had "failed in their duty to the people of the area."