PLANS have been unveiled to build a crematorium in Thurrock - the third attempt in recent years.

In October last year an application to build one behind Wick Place Cottage on the A128 Brentwood Road near Orsett, submitted by MMD Developments Ltd, was rejected by Thurrock Council's planning committee.

And, in October 2021 a bid to incorporate a crematorium alongside a private hospital, GP surgery and a specialist family care facility in Bulphan was also vetoed.

Hoping to make it third time lucky with an application on green belt land in Orsett is crematoria operator Elegy Limited.

Thurrock doesn't currently have a crematorium and bereaved families have to travel to to Basildon or South Essex Crematorium near Upminster.

South Essex Crematorium was built 70 years ago and now operates two chapels, allowing just 40 minutes between each funeral, which the firm says results in "an unpopular conveyor belt system of services".

Visitors to Upminster for services are subject to the ULEZ charge, which has promoted many complaints - and undertakers have reported a switch in preference from Thurrock people for Basildon where a crematorium was opened in Pitsea cemetery in 1998. A second chapel was added in 2019 to cope with demand.

Cremations have soared by 67 per cent since then and Basildon is now the second busiest crematorium in the country, holding 3,840 cremations a year, according to the latest figures.

Elegy will be consulting with residents on their plans to build at a location that "meets stringent national requirements for crematoria".

The chapel would seat 100 people and hold just four to five funerals per day, enabling better spacing between services and a less rushed experience for bereaved families.

A minimum of one hour will be allowed for each service in "state-of-the-art facilities".

Elegy boss, Richard Evans, said: "There is an urgent need to provide a new purpose-built crematorium to serve families living in the district of Thurrock.

"Our aim is to relieve pressure on existing facilities and to offer a quieter, more dignified setting for local families to hold a personal service closer to home.

"We plan to create a beautiful, natural setting for funerals. The proposals include extensive new planting of trees, flowers, hedgerows, shrubs and a wildflower meadow."

A public exhibition is due to be held on Thursday, 27 February between 12 noon and 7.30pm at Orsett Hall for local residents to hear more about the plans and submit their views.

Alternatively, the plans can be viewed on www.elegy.co.uk with residents able to submit comments online.