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Bodies buried at Tunbridge Wells Cemetery to be dug up for development

Graves are set to be dug up at a cemetery to make way for development - which could include new homes.

The final resting places of 15 people in Tunbridge Wells will need to be disturbed as part of the plans, put forward by the borough council.

Today the authority is issuing a public notice, as it tries to track down relatives of those interred in the unmarked, pauper’s graves, dating back to the 19th century.

Tunbridge Wells Cemetery. Picture: Chris Davey. (8095089)
Tunbridge Wells Cemetery. Picture: Chris Davey. (8095089)

The area they are buried in is home to the council’s parks contractor’s storage depot, which is set to be replaced.

The notice said the work also intended to “develop the land for residential dwellings”, but there are currently no plans to build homes at the cemetery, on Benhall Mill Road.

However, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is still considering the best use of the land around the depot.

No date has been set for work to take place, but any human remains that are discovered will be reintered within the existing cemetery.

“It is not unusual for graves to be moved in this way..." council spokesman

A spokesperson from Tunbridge Wells Borough Council said: “The council wishes to replace the depot which is no longer adequate for its use. The new depot will only use part of the existing site and therefore the council as landowner will seek planning permission for alternative use of the remaining site.

“We are at the very early stages of this project and no specific details have been agreed.

“It is not unusual for graves to be moved in this way and there is a legal procedure which we are following including giving public notice.

“We will ensure that any found remains are treated with dignity and we plan to reinter them in another part of the cemetery and ensure they are suitably and respectfully marked.”

Tunbridge Wells Cemetery. Picture: Chris Davey. (8095086)
Tunbridge Wells Cemetery. Picture: Chris Davey. (8095086)

Cllr Lawrence Heasman said: “I’m surprised there are human remains there, they must have been have been buried a long time ago.

“Obviously this public notice is giving any possible relatives a chance to be aware of the work.”

Work will begin in the next two months.

The names of those whose bodies are being disturbed will be available to view from today until May 9.

To view them, visit the Town Hall in Civic Way between 9am and 5pm.

Read more: All the latest news from Tunbridge Wells

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