OPPONENTS of a planned £1.5 million crematorium at Radcliffe Cemetery face a further delay before a decision is made on the controversial project.

Planning bosses were expected to approve the scheme at a meeting of the planning control committee last Thursday (June 14) but the decision was deferred pending a site visit to the farmland adjoining the cemetery.

Originally, the visit was scheduled to take place next month but has been put back until September, after residents in the Greenbank and Cemetery Road area pointed out that many people who wish to be present at the visit would be away on summer vacations.

Mr Frank Leach, of Greenbank Road, said: "I am pleased because it gives everyone time to look at it again. It also means those people who are new to the area, especially those who have moved into the new Elite estate who may not be fully aware of the plans, will have the opportunity to find out more and submit letters of protest." He added: "Many people have not even seen the plans because by the time they have finished work the council offices are shut, so we are planning a meeting for residents where the plans will be on display."

The application has been submitted by the global funeral firm, Service Corporation International (SCI) which was awarded a 125-year lease on the land by Bury Council in 1999 after submitting the most competitive bid.

The proposed crematorium would consist of a one level brick and stone building with a slate roof. There would be two gas fired cremators and the chapel would seat 84 with additional space for 30 more seats.

Householders object to traffic, access, the effect on the environment, and the general inappropriateness of having a crematorium so close to a residential area. They say processions of funeral corteges would also have a detrimental effect on local housing, trees and wildlife, as well as causing emotional distress to those living nearby.