A County Armagh church is planning a major extension to its graveyard to accommodate the needs of future generations.
St Aidan’s Parish Church at Kilmore has drawn up proposals and is hoping to win the blessing of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council to proceed is planned.
The graveyard extension sits adjacent to the existing graves which are next to the church itself.
In all, the laid out grass areas proposed would be capable of accommodating 172 graves. These would be laid out in two single rows, one of eight graves and the other of 12.
There would also be eight double row ‘blocks’ of graves, four consisting of 24 graves and four of 14.
The site at present is described in the application as an agricultural field. It is specifically on lands west of the Church of Ireland building on the Kilmacanty Road.
The proposals would also involve the laying of concrete pathways and internal vehicle access, although no additional car parking is planned above the 28 existing spaces.
A total of three trees will have to be removed to allow for vehicle access but existing mature trees will remain, and planting, including hedgerows, is planned too.
The proposals will now be advertised shortly with a decision expected in due course.
