Plans unveiled for Devon and Cornwall Islamic burial site

A charity is planning to establish a cemetery in the South West, specifically for the Islamic community. Gardens of Mercy (GoM), a recently registered charity, has revealed that it is preparing to submit a planning application to Cornwall Council for a natural burial ground for Muslims in Devon and Cornwall.

The charity intends to apply for 'change of use' planning permission on its land located on the north side of South Hill Road near Callington, reports CornwallLive.

It also plans to dedicate at least 75% of the site to enhancing biodiversity, with proposals including a wood-pasture and wildflower meadow.

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A leaflet seen by CornwallLive, says: "Gardens of Mercy is a registered charity aiming to provide a cemetery for Muslims requiring consecrated grounds for the burial of their deceased. This is an obligatory need for Muslims as only burial of the deceased is permitted. Cremation is not permitted.

“As no cemetery providing burials on consecrated land exists nearby for Muslims in Devon and Cornwall, the nearest being in South Gloucestershire, the charity’s main objective is to address this need.”

The leaflet further mentions that adequate space for car and hearse parking will be provided in the one-acre field, which is adjacent to South Hill Road.

While no official application for the burial ground has been lodged yet, a public consultation was held on June 11 at the Balti King Restaurant. The charity invited local community members to attend and learn more about the project.

At present, there are two burial sites in Cornwall which have allocated space for Muslim burials - Penzance Cemetery and St. Columb Major Cemetery.