Expansion of a cemetery that is nearing capacity was granted planning permission by Stevenage Borough Council last night (Tuesday).

Councillors gave the go-ahead for the extension of Weston Road Cemetery in the town onto neighbouring green belt land.

Burials will now extend northwards to the edge of Rooks Nest Farm on what is currently 1.75 hectares of agricultural land. Planners estimate the area can accommodate up to 1800 burial plots, extending the use of the cemetery until 2025.

A call by local residents and Friends of Forster Country for Weston Road to be closed at one end to stop the route being used as a rat run was rejected by the committee. Herts Highways advised that any additional use by motorists was not likely to cause a problem and the route was “necessary for network capacity”.