Burial ground Quakers fear home will disturb peace

CONVERTING a countryside stables north of Bristol into a family home could disturb a centuries-old Quaker burial ground.

- Alex SEABROOK Local democracy reporter

The burial ground has been in use since the 17th century and the peace of its rural location is crucial to the practices of the Quakers. But there will soon be neighbours.

Two years ago a family received planning permission to build replacement stables on a property next to the burial ground, on Greenhill Lane, south west of Alveston. Now they have also received permission from South Gloucestershire Council to convert this into a three-bed home.

Councillors on the development management committee voted six to three to permit the conversion on Thursday, October 30. But they heard how the new home in the countryside could impact the “nationally important” burial ground. They also heard concerns from local residents that the stables were always intended to be converted into a home from the outset.