A Highland Council project to make multi-million pound improvements to Inverness Crematorium takes a step forward
Inverness Crematorium at Kilvean Cemetery needs to replace its two cremators, and Highland Council has taken a further step towards seeing this happen.
A major consideration of the project group is ensuring the replacement work is done in a phased fashion so that cremations can continue at Kilvean.
The council, which operates the crematorium, has lodged a special planning application called a Certificate of Lawfulness Application.
A report earlier this year to the council’s Communities and Place Committee heard there are two key drivers for this project:
a) The UK Government have indicated tighter emission standards for crematorium will be required. Although an exact date has yet to be confirmed there are indications that updated plant will be required in 2027 for both existing and new crematorium throughout the UK.
b) Unfortunately, the supplier of the current Inverness cremators, ATI, has ceased trading and while arrangements are in place for the regular servicing and maintenance of the plant, in line with other councils with ATI cremators, the council wish to secure a new contract with a cremator supplier to provide new, more energy efficient cremators with a long-term servicing and maintenance contract.
Highland Council plans to replace the two existing gas-fired cremators with the installation of two new gas-fired cremators, and a small extension to the crematorium will be required to house them and a new filtration system known as an abatement plant.
Latest from the council is that a project group is well established and is taking the work forward, the tender for the new cremator supplier is now closed, and the contract for the successful bidder is proceeding.
A report to councillors said: “A key consideration of the project will be the phasing of the works to minimise any impact on the provision of cremations and services during the refurbishment works.
“This phased approach will allow the council to continue to provide cremations during the works.”
The council on 14 September 2023 approved a capital budget for the crematorium project of £1.2million with £50,000 allocated for 24/25 and £1.15million for 25/26.
