New Nanpantan Road Cemetery in Loughborough is now complete

Published: Wed 8th March, 2023

A new cemetery which includes natural burial spaces and memorial gardens has opened in Loughborough.

Nanpantan Road Cemetery, in Watermead Lane, has been created by Charnwood Borough Council and is needed for the town as the existing cemetery in Leicester Road is running out of space.

The Council has invested over £1 million to create the 10-acre facility which will serve the town for the next century and beyond.

Cllr Jenny Bokor, the Council’s lead member for Loughborough, said: “It is fantastic to announce the completion of Nanpantan Road Cemetery.

"Loughborough residents can be proud to have such a great new facility close by, where their loved ones can be laid to rest in such a peaceful and picturesque location which is close to the Outwoods.

"Thank you to our open spaces partners idverde, who have worked with the Council to ensure that the development had no adverse effects on the local wildlife and was in keeping with the natural habitat.

"We must also thank residents, businesses and local sports clubs for their patience while the works have taken place.

"I am sure that residents will find the cemetery an ideal place for quiet reflection and paying respects to family members and friends for many years to come.

"I am very proud of its green credentials which was one of our key requirements - blending into the landscape as much as possible."

Around 200 new trees have been planted, as well as a wide range of plants and shrubs, all of which will combine to provide food and habitat resources for wildlife.

Over 400 metres of new beech hedging has been planted to provide corridors, foraging and protection for birds, mammals and reptiles.

Work started on the new cemetery in 2020 but its completion was delayed by the pandemic. It was due to open last year but the extreme hot weather in the summer made it difficult for the planting to take hold and it was not ready to open until now.

The Council is planning to hold open days later in the year.

The cemetery has space for around 5,000 burials which should last the town for 100 years. There is room to expand so the cemetery should serve the town for another 200 years.

Parking at the new cemetery is available and vehicles can gain access via Nanpantan Road. The car park is free and can also be used to access the Outwoods by walking uphill on the public footpath between the adjacent fields.

Plots are available for residents from Loughborough and the surrounding Parishes in the borough, and can be reserved from Wednesday, March 8. To register your interest, please email cemetery@charnwood.gov.uk.

For more information about Nanpantan Road Cemetery, please visit: www.charnwood.gov.uk/NanpantanCemetery.

To stay up to date with the latest news and developments, sign-up for the Council’s email alerts by visiting www.charnwood.gov.uk/alerts or follow the Council’s social media channels @CharnwoodBC.