THE owner of a woodland burial site is hoping to start work within weeks to build a new ceremony hall and warden’s home.

Oakfield Wood Burial Ground in Wrabness has been running since it was first given planning permission in 1997.

It has 25,000 plots and trees already and has now been given permission to change more land over to use as burial space alongside permission for the new buildings.

A report to Tendring Council said: “The green burials are currently carried out in the open air and without any shelter from the elements.

“There is also a complete lack of facilities in the way of toilets, meeting rooms or refreshments for the congregation or visitors.

“Another problem that needs addressing is the issue of rural crime and vandalism in rural communities.

“Indeed this site has been subject to flytipping, vandalism and the dumping and burning of stolen cars in the recent past, which is a major concern.”

Tendring Council has approved the designs of a new ceremony hall with toilets, kitchen and office as well as an annexe for the full-time warden.

Owner John Acton said: “We were the first to get planning permission through Tendring Council for a woodland burial in 1997. There are about 250 sites throughout the UK now, most of them with facilities like ceremony halls and things. There was nowhere to shelter and no toilets so people have to go in the bushes.

“We will start work shortly in the next six months.”