CONTROVERSIAL plans for a pet crematorium at Leigh Sinton will be going before county council planners next week.

Les Childs, the owner of Brookend Kennels in Stocks Lane, Leigh Sinton, wants to install the crematorium so he can offer pet owners the service of incinerating their pets’ bodies.

His previous attempt in 2009 failed after Worcestershire County Council refused to grant planning permission, a decision which was upheld at appeal by a government planning inspector.

But last year he submitted a new application, which he hopes will overcome the objections. He said: “We were told by the planning inspector that we had failed to demonstrate sustainability, which actually turns out to mean reducing the carbon footprint. We asked all the local vets and they are currently sending the bodies miles away to be cremated.

“If they can send them here, we’re reducing our carbon footprint and that proves our sustainability.”

The plan is on the agenda for Worcestershire County Council's planning and regulatory committee on Tuesday.

Officers are recommending the plan for refusal on the grounds that it is in an unacceptable location, and that it goes against the local plan regarding development in the open countryside.

Leigh and Bransford Parish Council and Malvern Hills District Council have opp-osed the plan, and 22 letters of objection and a 105-name petition have been received by the county council.

Mr Childs said: “If the council refuses it again, we will appeal again, and we will demonstrate that we’ve complied with the inspector’s recommendations.”