A LACK of cemetery space in Barnard Castle could mean family members will be unable to be buried together, say council officials.

As part of the consultation over the Teesdale District Local Plan, the planning inspector has considered all recommendations for the future of land in the area.

Plans to set aside nearby allotments and land in Newgate for future expansion of the cemetery in Barnard Castle were questioned by the inspector.

He said the cemetery was big enough, and the rest of the local plan would protect land near to the cemetery from redevelopment, so it could be used for expansion if it was ever needed.

However, this has been disputed by council officers .

They say the cemetery is nearly full and expansion will be needed before another local plan is created in another ten years.

A council spokesman said: "The current provision of cemetery land should last ten years.

"However, that is based on current burial rates. The fact that Startforth churchyard is now formally closed and that as the cemetery reaches capacity reservations increase, indicates that the cemetery's life will be reduced by one to two years.

"Another factor to bear in mind is the lead in time for acquiring land for a cemetery and any site preparation works.

"These factors indicate that there is a need to plan for a new cemetery well before existing provision is exhausted, otherwise people could end up being buried far away from relatives."

The council officer also defended the choice of site for a new cemetery, even though it would be in a conservation area near Bowes Museum and Barnard Castle School.

He said the site in Newgate was close to the local population and three churches, and would allow further extension in the future, which would avoid the problem of finding another new site.

He also said restrictions on the type and height of headstones could ensure the cemetery fitted in with the conservation area.

He said: "The impact needs to be judged against the benefits to residents of the proximity of the site to the town."

Following the inspector's comments, the plan has been amended to state that the cemetery will extend into adjoining fields where possible, but plans will be made to create a new cemetery in Newgate in the future.

The completed local plan will be sent to the Government for ratification