THE AGENT behind plans for a privately-run cemetery near Keighley Tarn has confirmed council planning officers are calling for a more detailed geological survey of the site.

Keighley Community Cemetery wants to develop the facility off Black Hill Lane, arguing it would cater for people of all faiths and address a shortage of burial spaces at council-run graveyards.

However, people objecting to the application say they fear water running down from the site to neighbourhoods such as Braithwaite and Shann Park will become contaminated if the land is used for burials.

Keighley West ward councillor, Jan Smithies, last week suggested a decision on the application would be delayed because a Bradford Council drainage specialist wants a more comprehensive drainage and contamination survey.

The spokesman for the applicant’s agent confirmed: “We’ve had a phase one geological survey done, but we understand the council planners are going to want a phase two survey.

“However, we would like the phase two done as a condition of us gaining approval because of the time, cost and effort involved.

“A phase two may involve us needing to bore a hole into the ground, and then us monitoring that hole for as long as six to 12 months. We’d be happy to do it, but as a condition of approval rather than up-front.”

Keighley town councillor, John Kirby, of Laycock and Braithwaite ward, emphasised people opposing the application still had many unanswered questions.

He said they needed guarantees any cemetery would not lead to parking in Black Hill Lane and anti-social behaviour.

He added residents living near the site also want assurances the graveyard would not pollute water, and would not comprise more than 2,000 burial plots.