By Lisa Trainer

DESPITE THE Scottish Government’s rejection of plans to allow a cemetery and crematorium to be built on land to the east of Dundee, the developer is still insisting it is the most suitable site for the city.

Linlathen Developments gained planning permission from Dundee City Council to build a pub, restaurant, cemetery and crematorium on the eastern outskirts of the town but had its plans rejected by the govern-ment earlier this month.

Bob Hyslop of Linlathen Developments said yesterday that the alternative sites for burial were unsuitable in comparison to the plot of land to the south of Drumsturdy Road that his company had put forward for development.

Earlier this week Councillor Rod Wallace claimed that Dundee has until 2012 to find an alternative plot of land for burial and said investigation of other sites was vital.

“It’s still our opinion that Linlathen is the most suitable location for a new cemetery,” explained Mr Hyslop.

“We fully agree with Councillor Wallace regarding Dundee’s limited ground stock.

“All of the ground south of the recently dualled A92 and within Dundee’s boundary is now built on.

“To the east of Kellas Road is Pitkerro Estate with the category B listed Pitkerro House in the middle.

“Developers hold an option on this land which is intended for upper market housing.

“To the east of that there is a large council-owned site at Linlathen, which is identified for industrial use.

“Adjacent to that is the site that was proposed for the recently refused development.

“The refusal was largely because of concerns by Historic Scotland over the setting of Cairn Greg being affected by the crematorium and the public house and restaurant.”

A Scottish Government reporter told ministers that the new buildings would adversely affect the setting of the several-thousand-year-old Cairn Greg burial mound.

Responding to suggestions that Linlathen Development had gone against the town plan with its building proposals, Mr Hyslop said, “Councillor Wallace suggested the proposal was a reversal of the local and structure plan.

“However, any application for a cemetery would be contrary to the local and structure plans as no site has been identified for such a use.”

The Scottish Government report acknowledged the need for additional burial land in Dundee but said the council had not undertaken a comprehensive search for, and evaluation of, potential sites to demonstrate this was the only suit-able location.

Dundee councillors had given the green light for the cemetery and crematorium to be built, despite concerns from some objectors on the impact it could have on the surrounding environment and wildlife.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency and nine individuals were worried about the effect of the proposals on Cairn Greg and opposed the plans.