Bradford Council Approves £7 Million Plan for New Islamic Cemetery After Years of Official Neglect

Bradford Council Approves £7 Million Plan for New Islamic Cemetery After Years of Official Neglect
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The executive board of Bradford Council has approved the next phase of the city’s burial services strategy, including the establishment of a new Islamic cemetery to meet the growing needs of the Muslim community in the southern part of the district.

According to a report presented to council members, recent expansions at Sholmour Cemetery and the creation of additional burial spaces at Bowling Cemetery will not be sufficient to meet future demand, making the development of an entirely new cemetery necessary.

The report highlighted a widening gap between the demand for Islamic burials, which require full-body interment, and the available capacity, while noting that cremation has become increasingly common for non-Muslim residents. It emphasized that ground burial remains the only religiously acceptable option for a large segment of the Muslim population, posing unique planning challenges that cannot be addressed within general burial solutions.

This decision is part of Bradford Council’s updated burial services strategy, launched in 2016, which has included projects such as a new crematorium in Heaton, upgrades at existing facilities in Oakworth, and plans for a new crematorium in Burley. However, the report stressed that these measures do not replace the need for a dedicated Islamic burial site.

Site selection for the new cemetery is ongoing, with detailed studies planned, including assessments of groundwater, environmental, and regulatory constraints. The council also indicated it may use legal powers, including compulsory purchase orders, if voluntary agreements to secure land within the approved budget are not reached.