A plan for a new crematorium in a Huntingdonshire village will reduce funeral waiting times and journey distances, according to the company behind the scheme.

Dignity Funerals is proposing to develop a crematorium and memorial gardens on about 11 acres of land at Lodge Farm, near Broughton.

The company has targeted the area because of what it says are capacity issues at other crematoriums in the county and the increasing lack of cemetery space in churchyards.

A spokesman for Dignity Funerals told The Hunts Post: “We are proposing to develop a small state-of-the-art crematorium surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens of remembrance.

“Our proposed development would improve public services by reducing waiting times for funerals and journeys to existing crematoria for bereaved families.

“It would not require any direct funding from local taxpayers. We anticipate that there would initially be three or four funerals per weekday typically between 10am and 3pm.”

Within the plans, it is proposed that the crematorium will be open Monday to Friday, with the ability to provide weekend cremations upon request.

If the company is given the go-ahead, a single-storey building will be constructed which will house a chapel, a crematoria and administrative space. The chapel will be able to seat about 120 people.

Along with the chapel, memorial gardens will be created and car parking.

The plans stated: “Careful attention has been given to the design of the proposed building, car park and landscape. The design has had regard to the conservation of landscape character, visual amenity and arboriculture.”

The company says the earmarked land has been chosen due to its remote location, as it is about 200 yards away from the nearest dwelling – as required by law.

Dignity Funerals is likely to submit plans in the coming weeks once feedback from its public consultation and advice from the Highways Agency has been received.