GAZETTE: Villagers in Colerne can look forward to an interment in their own village graveyard now a controversial planning application to extend the burial ground has been approved, despite a recommendation for refusal by planning officers.

Dennis Coles, who was churchwarden for many years and is now the deacon, said: "I can tell you that Colerne people don't want to buried in Box or Marshfield. They want to be buried in Colerne where they have spent their lives.

"And I can tell you that people in Box and Marshfield don't want Colerne people cluttering up their graveyards."

Coun Dick Tonge, chairman of Colerne Parish Council, said: "We would like to thank everyone who wrote letters in support. These were a great help in showing the committee how strong feelings are in the village.

"It is fair to say that the decision is a great relief to all of us."

The parish council submitted plans to change the use of farmland to a burial ground, and to knock down and replace part of a boundary wall.

It was the demolition of the wall that concerned planning officers, because it is part of the grounds of the listed Manor House and dates back to the 19th century.

They feared the new wall would spoil the setting and character of the Manor House.

At the meeting of North Wiltshire District Council development control committee on Wednesday last week, Coun Chris Phillips spoke for the parish council, and explained the application was unique because no one in the village objected to it.

"Those who wish to be buried in the village, who have lived there all their lives, should be able to," he said.

"There are now only five plots remaining and those are likely to be filled by next spring. If this is refused there is likely to be no burial ground by next year."

He said the owners of the Manor House had agreed to gift the land and nobody would make any money from the arrangement.

Colerne resident William Knight told the meeting members of his family had lived in the village since the 16th century and the prospect of the burial ground being full was causing worry and disquiet in the village.

"This is our last chance to extend the burial ground," he said.

"We are proud of our village and work fiercely to protect it."

He said the boundary wall was built in 1900 when the graveyard was last extended and stone from the current wall would be used to rebuild the new one.

Chris Phillips, Will Knight and Doreen Darby spoke in favour of the application. Their eloquence resulted in a unanimous decision by the committee to grant permission.