A NEW crematorium is becoming more of a reality as developers took the next step to bringing the building to Maldon.

A planning application to build a new crematorium to serve the Maldon area has officially been submitted.

Plans were first unveiled in September before consulting residents and stakeholders.

Results of a previous survey carried out for developer Elegy indicated more than nine out of ten residents, 91 per cent, believe there to be a need for a new crematorium to serve the Maldon district.

The developers are hoping to provide a local choice for the people of Maldon, as well as the Witham area.

The aim is to help the long drive that residents would usually take to Chelmsford, or even further afield to Basildon or Colchester.

Funeral directors in the Maldon area previously confirmed these drives can take 40 minutes or more.

The developers said: “A new crematorium would greatly relieve this pressure and provide a much more tranquil and dignified setting for funerals.”

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Managing Director at Elegy, Richard Evans said: “The consultation with local residents and organisations has been very important to us and allowed us to enhance our plans.

“We were encouraged by the support that we received but we also realise how important it is to deliver on our promises.

“Our real work starts with the first funeral, and it is in our interest to create the most beautiful setting for them and to provide privacy to our neighbours too.”

If passed, it would be built off the Maldon Road, near to Woodham Mortimer.

The new crematorium would seat 100 people and hold just 4 funerals per day.

Elegy hope this will enable better spacing between funeral services and a less rushed experience for grieving families.

A minimum of an hour will be allowed for each service along with "state of the art facilities" allowing each family to have a funeral of their choice.

The crematorium will also be hugely environmentally friendly.

It will include the latest filtration equipment included to ensure that the operation is effectively clean to air and extensive use of renewable energy.

Mr Evans added: “It is our expectation that the crematorium will ultimately be carbon neutral with recycled heat providing a significant renewable energy source.

“There will also be extensive tree planting across the site.”