Council still ‘committed’ to Omagh base for crematorium

IT’S still unclear whether a crematorium originally planned for Omagh will be built in the town.

It is over a decade since plans for the facility at Greenhill Cemetery on the Gortin Road were first revealed.

And although the development has been on-hold for at least five years, planning approval for the crematorium at Greenhill has just been renewed.

Fermanagh and Omagh, Derry and Strabane and Mid-Ulster Councils had been involved in three-way negotiations to see if a partnership plan could be agreed. 

However, Mid-Ulster Council has now decided that the development of a crematorium is not a priority for them, leaving the two remain local government bodies to decide whether or not they should develop it jointly.

There are concerns that this could result in Omagh being overlooked as the location, especially considering Derry’s much larger population base.

A spokesperson for Fermanagh and Omagh District Council said this week that they remain committed to the development. “The council does wish to progress with a project to provide a crematorium facility to serve the North-West region on the Greenhill site and will be considering this in the context of Capital Plans for the next five years,” they added.

“Whilst Mid-Ulster have advised that a joint crematorium project is not a priority for them, it is still under consideration by Derry City and Strabane Council.”