Derby planning new multi-million-pound crematorium to replace ageing Markeaton Lane site
Derby City Council is in the very early stages of planning to build a new multi-million pound crematorium.
The city council has listed “new crematorium” in a new report about the £239 million capital programme for the next three years.
The council is looking to set aside £11 million to deliver it as part of its medium-term budget proposals but the authority states “the estimated cost for constructing the new crematorium is still under review”.
Derby only has one crematorium and there has been previous concern the city council has been losing out on income due to families choosing newer and bigger locations elsewhere to hold services.
Plans for a new crematorium have been discussed years previously due to the “ageing” Markeaton Lane site – but they have never got off the ground. However, there now appears to be a fresh commitment from the city council to deliver a new site.
The council says the new crematorium will replace the existing one on Markeaton Lane and would not serve as an additional facility. It would be built at or very near the existing site.
A Derby City Council spokesperson said: “We’re currently in the early stages of planning for a new crematorium to replace the existing facility. The current facility requires significant upgrades to meet modern standards and continue delivering an efficient and high-quality service for residents.
“The estimated cost for constructing the new crematorium is still under review. As indicated in the Mid-Term Financial Plan (MTFP) proposals, £11 million has been included in the capital programme to deliver this.
“This is a significant investment in essential infrastructure, and we are committed to ensuring that it delivers long-term value for the community. The land adjacent to the current crematorium is currently being considered for the new site.”
News of a new crematorium comes despite the current financial constraints at the city council and the need to save over £10 million in the next financial year. The report says the council “retains a capital ambition for the city which delivers across themes such as economic regeneration, health and wellbeing, economic vibrancy, diversification and skills, job creation and the development of the city’s cultural offer”.
Derby City Council leader Nadine Peatfield told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “A new crematorium for Derby is desperately needed and that is in the budget. As I understand it, it will be in the same location.”
Before Labour won back control of Derby City Council following last year’s local elections, it was reported a council-led review into whether or not Derby needed a new crematorium was on pause due to “financial pressures”.
The review included a detailed look at the future of the Markeaton Crematorium, which was built in the 1950s. The Markeaton Lane crematorium is the only one within the Derby city boundary.
Recently new modern facilities have been built in Derbyshire including Amber Valley Memorial Park and Crematorium in Alfreton and Trent Valley Crematorium in Aston-on-Trent. It has been feared Derby City Council is losing money to these new facilities.
In January 2023 Labour councillor Hardyal Dhindsa, who was then an opposition councillor, said: “With the crematorium, we (Derby City Council) are losing money from other crematoria outside the city boundary. We are not providing the modern service that we can provide.”
The Derby City Council spokesperson added: “These proposals are subject to the outcome of the current public consultation, which we encourage everyone who lives, works or studies in Derby to take part in.”
Further details about the budget proposals can be found on the Let’s Talk Derby website – https://letstalk.derby.gov.uk/budget-2025.