Newcastle upon Tyne, UK—A new Gurdwara will be built in Newcastle next to the grounds of a burial site for victims of the plague at Tyneside, which will form a visitors’ car park.
Builders are preparing the site, just off Westgate Road in Newcastle, which is home to graves of people who perished in the 1850s outbreak.
Some local people are angry about the scheme which will see gravestones moved as part of the work. Newcastle Council said the burial ground has been out of use for more than 150 years and planning permission for the Gurdwara was granted in 2010.
Site manager Ian Walker, from building contractors Walter Thompson, insisted everyone working on the job was aware of the sensitivities and they were doing everything they could to minimise disruption.
He said: “I’ve had a few concerned members of the public speak to me about what we’re doing, but after explaining to them, many have been reassured.
“The site includes the land that used to be the old graveyard.
“We’ve got the council archeologist with us on site full time observing what we do and he’s on hand in case we come across anything of significance. The work we’re doing is strictly controlled so we’re minimising disruption as much as we can.”
Mr. Walker said gravestones that were lined up against a boundary wall would have to be moved when it was repositioned, but they would carefully be put back afterwards. It is understood the council archeologist would deal with any remains that were disturbed and rebury them.
Ken Maines, owner of Buckingham Antiques and Militaria on nearby Buckingham Street, has concerns about the work. “I can’t understand why the council allowed it in the first place.
“I wouldn’t like anyone driving their car over my grave.”
The existing car park used by the Gurdwara was formerly the site of St. Paul’s Congregational Church which was built in 1841 and demolished in 1967.
Laws allow building on disused burial grounds, subject to strict controls.
There are restrictions on the vehicles that can be used on the site and there is also no need for drainage trenches to be dug. Only 12in of top soil will be excavated.
The existing Gurdwara, which is close to St James’ Park and the former Newcastle Breweries site, has served the Tyneside Sikh community for more than 35 years.
Plans for the new Gurdwara were approved in August 2010 by Newcastle Council’s planning committee.
Thing is this all went through planning and there wasn’t any objections, the local paper just needed something to talk about. These news papers dont report the drugs use and alcoholics who cost 000’s in police time in the high rise flats adjacent. They don’t want the site cleaned up and put to use, yet its ok to have alcoholics drink and throw empty beer cans over peoples graves? It is a derelict ground and now being put to good use.
It would be different if it was a recent graveyard etc but the state which the area is in atm and what it will be after the Gurdwara is not even acknowledged.