Plans for a road through memorial gardens at Perth Crematorium should be called in by the Scottish Government, a local politician has said.
Liz Smith called on ministers to review plans for the proposed road if changes are not made to the route.
The MSP has called on Perth and Kinross Council to rethink the plans, which have upset the relatives of those who have scattered the ashes of loved ones at the site.
Ms Smith, the Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid-Scotland and Fife, said: “It is now really urgent that Perth and Kinross Council acknowledges the extent of the anger being expressed in the local community.
“For hundreds of people whose loved ones lie in the cemetery, or who are remembered by the memorials within the gardens, the current proposal to build the new road at that particular location is wholly inappropriate.
“They feel very badly let down by a council which has not paid any attention to the strength of feeling in the local community and who seem destined to go ahead whatever the sensitivities.”
She added: “The high level of public outcry we have seen regarding this proposal means that there are strong grounds for the Scottish Government to call in the application.
“Perth and Kinross Council must listen to the people and rethink the part of the road that affects the crematorium and Garden of Remembrance.”
However, a spokesman indicated that it was unlikely that the Scottish Government would call in the plans.
He said: “The responsibility for dealing with planning applications and local planning matters rests, in the first instance, with the local planning authority.
“Scottish ministers would consider intervening only in exceptional circumstances and would normally only become involved in cases that raise issues of national as opposed to local significance.”
Labour councillor Archie MacLellan said he was also keen to seek a resolution on the plans.
He said: “We have received strong representation from several quarters regarding the proposed route and, clearly, there are understandable emotions being expressed by a significant number of people.
“The Labour group is having a meeting with our senior planning officials early next month to discuss these points and to look further into whether any alternatives can be found.
“We cannot guarantee that any changes will be made but, at least, we need to be convinced that no other options are viable.”