THERE were jubilant scenes as a plan for a crematorium in Rubery was turned down by Bromsgrove planners.

In 2012, Bromsgrove District Council's planning committee approved an application for a new cemetery in land near to New Inns Lane, including a woodland burial area.

But applicants H2Land submitted a change of use application that included making changes necessary to convert the maintenance building into a crematorium.

In the report the case officer recognised that the crematorium in the green belt was inappropriate development but as the site already had planning permission, and the conversion was not considered to cause unacceptably harm, the new application was recommended for approval.

The application was considered at the committee's latest meeting, held yesterday, (October 28).

During the public speaking, a passionate plea to turn it down was made by resident Sarah McConkey.

She said: "When, in 2012, residents asked if there was going to be a crematorium, they were told 'no'.

"This was a blatant lie.

"If it had been an application for a crematorium, maybe the outcome would have been different."

But Mark Donald, representing H2Land, argued the application had been "carefully considered".

He said there were no additional changes, apart from a chimney, adding the crematorium would be carefully controlled, meeting requirements.

During discussions Councillor Sue Baxter said the original application had been very sympathetic, but the new proposal completely changed the dynamic.

Councillor John Tidmarsh accused the applicants of "planning by stealth".

"If it had been for a crematorium I would not have supported the application then," he said.

Cllr Baxter proposed an alternate recommendation to refuse the application, arguing it was going from a low-key burial site to an "industrial crematorium".

Other reasons put forward included that it would cause harm to the Waseley Hills through additional traffic, car parking issues, and the visual impact of the chimney.

It was also noted the 2012 application included a condition intended to stop a crematorium.

A vote was taken, the application turned down by seven votes to four.

Rubery residents who had filled the chamber's public gallery were jubilant following the decision.

Ward councillor Peter McDonald said: "A number of councillors felt they were hoodwinked.

"It is very good news for the people of Rubery - we have maintained a site of outstanding beauty."

Chris Hughes, from H2Land, said: "We were pleased to go to committee with a recommendation for approval from the planning department, them having considered the application against planning policy.

"Whilst respecting local democracy, we were disappointed at the misunderstanding and misrepresentations in respect of the application, demonstrated during the meeting.

"Whilst we must respect the vote taken, in light of this and the resulting refusal of the planning application we are currently taking advice on our next step."