Notice of formal licencing process for access to Woodvale Cemetery

Dear neighbour,

Over the past few years, Woodvale Cemetery and Crematorium has experienced frequent disruption due to increasing cases of trespassing from scaffolders undertaking work on behalf of residents of Gladstone Place, Newmarket Road, Newmarket Terrace, and Shanklin Road.

This increase in trespassing has resulted in some members of the public experiencing:

• unwelcome disruption to funeral services
• damage to council property

As a result, Brighton & Hove City Council would like to formally make all residents of Gladstone Place, Newmarket Road, Newmarket Terrace and Shanklin Road whose properties back onto Woodvale Cemetery, aware that there's a formalised licencing process for accessing Woodvale Cemetery land for:

• scaffolding erection
• site clearance
• emergency repairs to their property

Our decision to implement a formal licencing process is driven by our commitment to ensuring that funerals, cemetery visitors and general activities within the cemetery are conducted in a manner that preserves its sanctity and respects the resting places of our loved ones.

Key details of the licencing process

Purpose of licence

The licence will be required to secure access rights for activities such as:

• scaffolding erection
• site clearance
• emergency repairs within the cemetery grounds

The licence will also cover access for scaffolding erection and disassembly on the same or different dates.

Notice period

Licence requests must be submitted to bereavement services, giving a minimum of 6 weeks' notice in non-emergency cases.

This will allow us time to:

• assess the request thoroughly
• prepare licence documents

It will also give Bereavement Services time to plan access around future funeral services.

Earlier access can be obtained in cases of emergency repairs or based on staff capacity.

To contact Bereavement Services:

• send an email to Woodvale@brighton-hove.gov.uk
• visit the cemetery office in person at Woodvale Lodge, Lewes Road, Brighton, BN2 3QB

Licence fees

Brighton & Hove City Council Legal Team will prepare the licence. The fee charged ranges between £250 to £500.

Each property requesting a licence will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The fee charged will be determined based on:

• the nature of the request
• the duration for which scaffolding and access are required
• proximity to cemetery buildings
• the level of disruption caused to the cemetery funeral services and the level of disruption to the cemetery environment (for example, if access is required over badger’s burrow land, which we're obligated to protect under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992)

We will also provide a fast-track licencing service for emergency access at £750.

Requesting a licence

To request a licence for access to Woodvale Cemetery send an email to Woodvale@brighton-hove.gov.uk.

Residents will be asked to complete a scaffolding licence access request form when requesting a licence to access the cemetery.

The following form details will be required from the resident’s appointed scaffolders in advance of issuing a licence:

• registered address, company name and number
• point of contact – name, email address and telephone/mobile number
• public indemnity insurance details (certificate) – (not to be less than £10,000,000)
• the estimated length of time the scaffolding is going to be up for
• the dates and times access is required for - the date for assembly and the estimated date for deconstruction
• the purpose of the access licence

To avoid delay, it's recommended that you obtain this information from your appointed scaffolder before contacting the cemetery.

Payment will be requested before any licence is granted.

Some scaffolders, if not given prior notice, may be tempted to access the cemetery without authorisation to avoid paying this fee. This action is considered trespassing on private land. The cemetery is fitted with CCTV, trespassers will be identified, contacted and subject to a fine in addition to the appropriate licence fee.

The instructing party (freeholders/leaseholders or tenants) are responsible for ensuring their appointed scaffolders:

• are aware of this process
• have contacted Bereavement Services in advance to avoid delay

We understand that this process may raise questions, but we believe this is now necessary to ensure that a respectable standard of service can be provided to those who wish to pay their respects to their loved ones with dignity and without disruption.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in ensuring that Woodvale Cemetery remains a place of peace and respect for all.

If you have any questions or concerns:

• phone the Cemetery Team on 01273 294 769
• visit the cemetery office in person at Woodvale Lodge, Lewes Road, Brighton, BN2 3QB

View a plan of the affected properties.

Thank you for your attention to this matter, and for your continued cooperation in maintaining the sanctity of Woodvale Cemetery.

Yours sincerely,

Ben Nwanze MRICS, Senior Estates Surveyor, Finance and Property.