COUNCILLORS have voted against officer advice to approve plans for a pet crematorium on Green Belt land in Fobbing reports the Local Democracy Reporter.
Thurrock Council’s planning committee backed the proposal after hearing emotional arguments about the need for local, dignified services for grieving pet owners, despite officers recommending refusal over sustainability and green belt concerns.
The application, submitted by Kevin Barry, sought permission to convert an existing outbuilding at Brynmount Lodge on High Road into a crematorium plant room, alongside a new single storey office and quiet room. The plans also include three parking spaces and the removal of existing stables and a barn.
Council leader Lynn Worrall addressed the committee in support of the scheme, speaking “as a resident” rather than in her leadership role. She described the loss of a pet as a “genuine bereavement” and said families should not have to travel long distances to say goodbye.
“For many families in our borough, a pet is not an accessory or an afterthought,” she said. “When a pet passes away, the last thing grieving families should face is a 25 mile journey just to offer a dignified farewell.”
She told councillors there was no local provision and no objections from environmental health officers, adding that there were no identified impacts from noise, odour, traffic or amenity. “This is not a question of commercial need, it is a question of compassion,” she said.
Ockendon Reform councillor Russell Cherry also backed the plans, saying the facility would allow owners to be certain their pets were cremated individually rather than through bulk services. “This could be a small, local business,” he said. “It is in the green belt, but I don’t think it’s going to impact much.”
Applicant Mr Barry said demand for pet cremation services was increasing alongside rising pet ownership. He told councillors Thurrock had around 70,000 households, with an estimated 60 per cent owning pets. He argued it was unrealistic to expect people to use public transport to carry deceased animals, adding most journeys would be by car regardless of location.
Planning officers had concluded the proposal amounted to inappropriate development in the green belt and that the applicant had failed to demonstrate unmet need or sustainable location. However, councillors rejected a motion to refuse the scheme and voted to approve it.
