AN Enniskillen undertaker rejected plans by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council to site a crematorium in the area, branding the proposal a “non-starter”.

Earlier last month, a report presented to the Council’s Policy and Resources Committee revealed that a feasibility study into proposals to site a crematorium and associated facilities at Greenhill Cemetery, located on Gortin Road, Omagh was at an “advanced stage”.

Council officials stated that Peter Quinn Consultancy had been commissioned by the local authority to prepare the feasibility study.
This work was now at “an advanced stage”, the Committee members were informed.

The report also revealed that Fermanagh and Omagh District Council had been asked to participate in a Cross-Local Government sector meeting, to be hosted by Belfast City Council in mid-May, which will consider the current and future requirements for crematorium development in Northern Ireland.

“The outcome of this meeting will be reported to the Policy and Resources Committee in June 2017,” the report stated.

However, Enniskillen funeral director John McKeegan said he believes the proposed crematorium in Omagh is a “non-starter”.

Mr. McKeegan has questioned the viability of a new crematorium, with existing facilities in Belfast and also just across the border in County Cavan.

The Fermanagh man said that the “red tape” was so much less in using the crematorium in Cavan, which is owned by a private individual instead of a local council.

Speaking to the Impartial Reporter last week, Mr. McKeegan said: “My opinion is that’s it’s not viable.”

The undertaker also said that the public in Fermanagh and Omagh should be told the cost of building and maintaining a proposed crematorium.

He said: “You’re talking millions of pounds. Would local taxpayers want to be lumbered with the likes of that?”

Mr. McKeegan further claimed that he would still use the crematorium in Cavan even if a new one was opened in Omagh – pointing to the more demanding rules and restrictions governing the use of Roselawn crematorium, operated by Belfast City Council.
“There is less hassle, less red tape in going to Cavan. 
“I can’t understand why they are even talking about opening one in Omagh,” he added.

Outline planning approval for the erection of a crematorium and associated facilities on the Greenhill Cemetery site was originally obtained by the legacy Omagh District Council in November 2012.
This outline planning approval was recently renewed.

The report to the Policy and Resources Committee stated that, at the time of the initial outline planning application, it was the legacy Council’s intention to offer the undeveloped site for sale on the open market, with a development brief for a “state of the art” crematorium.

The brief had required the facility to be completed within a short time limit and be run and managed commercially.

However, the report revealed that, during the design and application stage, there were some queries relating to the legality of someone other than a Council operating a crematorium.

“As there were conflicting views on this matter, it was decided to procure a specialist legal opinion prior to advertising for developers,” the report stated.

According to the report, legal counsel advised that a private individual or company could not currently cremate human remains, unless they were contracted to do so at a local Council owned and maintained crematorium.

The report added: “Nevertheless, it was decided to investigate if the provision of a crematorium in this area was commercially feasible and economically viable and to also consider the available options open to the Council.”