COUNCIL officials are urging those who wish to be buried in the same Teesdale cemetery as relatives to book a plot before space runs out.

Capacity at the current burial ground in central Barnard Castle will be exhausted within six-to-nine years, members of Teesdale District Council heard on Wednesday.

Adjoining allotment land, owned by the town council, was allocated for cemetery use in the Local Plan, but this is likely to be offered to the adjacent Grove Works in Queen Street in order to extend a housing development.

This would generate enough income to fund the company's proposed relocation to the outskirts of town, releasing its current site for the development and nearby allotment land in its ownership for a much needed public car park.

Tony Seaman, the district council's director of development services, told members that should such an arrangement be mutually agreed with Grove Works then it was likely to avoid the need for the authority to use compulsory purchase powers to acquire the site.

It would also allow car parking provision at an earlier time while bringing about environmental improvement within and on the edge of the historic conservation area.

"Following various discussions, it is your officer's view that every effort should be made to assist a valuable local employer to develop a modern, efficient and competitive business and to retain that operation in or very close to Barnard Castle," he said.

With this in mind, councillors supported his recommendation. But, in order to maintain a supply of burial ground, they authorised his officers to commence negotiations for the acquisition of a site on the south side of Newgate, opposite the Bowes Museum, which was also identified in the Local Plan.

It consists of 1.5 hectares, which is six times the size of the town council's allotment land, and will provide for a further 110 years of burials at current levels of demand. He was also given leave to seek the relevant planning permission.

However, he was keen to point out that those wishing to reserve plots in the current cemetery should do so as soon as possible, by contacting the council on 01833 690000.

"With Startforth churchyard now closed for burials it has resulted in added demand for spaces in the Barnard Castle cemetery," he added.

"It means a great deal to some people to have a plot near their loved ones and as an authority we wish to make the public aware of the situation."