Plans for new cemetery ‘progressing’

There are now 77,000 people buried in the City Cemetery, with the historic burial site, which opened in 1853, set to reach capacity within the next few years.

The Council began scoping for a new site on Derry’s west bank several years ago, and a spokesperson confirmed to the ‘Journal’ yesterday that it was “progressing with plans to develop a new municipal cemetery within the wider Cityside area of Derry”.

“Following the identification of a preferred site for a new cemetery site which is adjacent to an existing Council cemetery at Killea, Council is currently undertaking extensive ground investigation works and other technical studies at the site.”

The spokesperson for the Council confirmed that there are approximately 650 plots remaining in the City Cemetery allowing a maximum of four years for new graves. The spokesperson added: “Burials in existing plots are expected to continue well into the future.

“The issue was raised at a meeting of Full Council last week and it was confirmed that a full report on the cemetery would be brought before the Environment and Regeneration Committee at the earliest opportunity.”

In addition to the City Cemetery on Lone Moor Road, Derry currently has three other cemeteries still used for interment across the Waterside: Alla, Claudy; Ballyoan, Rossdowney Road; and Altnagelvin, Church Brae.

There are also five other cemeteries across the city and district which are looked after by the council, but which are considered closed in that they are no longer used for burials.