Midsomer Norton Town Council is investigating the possibility of a new Town Cemetery and is asking for the views of local residents on the emotive subject, plus seeking potential landowners to come forward.

Whilst the current 'land grab' for housing continues, the Town Council is

concerned that if it does not seek the opinions of residents now, the opportunity will be lost for local people to be buried in the town that many have spent all of their lives in. The cemetery around the Parish Church of St John and the current town cemetery in Church Lane will be full in a few years' time, with the only other option being for local people to be buried at Haycombe, Bath – a long journey for those who would also wish to go and tend graves of loved ones.

Since the Town Council was formed, it has been investigating the possibility of an additional cemetery. But, despite efforts to identify land, it has become apparent that there are few sites that are affordable, or suitable, left. Sites that have been discussed include land near the Rugby Club, at the back of Withies Park, towards Chilcompton or at Welton Vale.

The Community Planners chose not to include the question in their recent Town Survey and so the Town Council says it is faced with a 'dilemma' which needs to be addressed and should be consulted upon.

Do you think there should be a cemetery in Midsomer Norton in the future? Send your views to the Town Clerk, Midsomer Norton Town Council, Town Hall, Midsomer Norton BA3 2HQ by 4th April, or email: townclerk@midsomernorton towncouncil.co.uk

The Town Council is also appealing to landowners and developers – if anyone is interested in selling land located within the town boundary, please get in touch via the addresses above. Any initial approaches will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Speaking this week, Paul Myers, Mayor of Midsomer Norton, said: "We have been looking at potential sites for a new Midsomer Norton cemetery since 2011, in order to ensure that local people have another option to the B&NES facility at Haycombe, near Bath. However, with the recent frenzy of housing planning applications, not only have the options been reduced still further, but land prices have gone through the roof. We are therefore consulting with the public for their views and appealing to local landowners in order to find a solution to this important and sensitive issue."

"The Church Lane site has been open since the 1900s and the land was gifted by members of the congregation over a number of years, in order that burials could still take place in Midsomer Norton when the land around the church was full," said Rev. Christopher Chiplin, from St John's Church, Midsomer Norton.

"This churchyard extension has been of considerable benefit and comfort to local people, who would otherwise have had to use cemeteries further afield. In recent years, there has been no contribution by the authorities towards the maintenance of this churchyard from public funds. The churchyard, however, is in good order, because of the generosity of a local business, who employ a person to cut the grass, which is done to high standard and to whom (as a church) we are very grateful.

"When the churchyard is full in Midsomer Norton (and it is difficult to predict when that will be), the local church would not be in any sort of position to purchase new land for a burial ground, the financial and administrative burden would be far beyond us, which is why the Town Council is perhaps trying to fill the need, which will occur at some time in the future."

B&NES has said that Haycombe has plenty of room and options for future expansion, so it has no responsibility, therefore, to provide another cemetery.