Guidance

Protecting groundwater from human burials

How to avoid causing groundwater pollution when developing cemeteries for burying human remains.

From:
Environment Agency
Published
1 April 2022

Applies to England

Documents

Protecting groundwater from human burials

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Details

This guidance is for local councils or other cemetery operators. It covers cemetery developments from 1 April 2022 which need new planning permission under section 57 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. The guidance applies to proposals to:

  • develop a new cemetery
  • expand an existing cemetery

Expanding an existing cemetery means extending the geographical area of a site to an extent that you need new planning permission under section 57 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

If you do not take steps to reduce the risks, burials can present a risk to the water environment.

Published 1 April 2022