RESIDENTS in Buckley spoke of their concern at works to turn a former fishing tackle shop into a funeral directors.

Ewloe Place resident Jenny Trevor said she was shocked to wake up one morning in recent weeks to see the works under way at a property in her road.

She said: "My husband noticed a private ambulance puling into the road - we thought a neighbour had passed away.

"But then we realised they were pulling into the former fishing tackle shop."

Mrs Trevor and her neighbours then learned that Stephen Johnstone and Son Independent Funeral Directors had taken on the site and the company was in the process of turning it into a funeral home.

"We were given no notification whatsoever about this so it was pretty upsetting to see," she said.

The Leader:

Image of the site provided by Jenny Trevor

"We have lived here for 50 years and we've had ongoing difficulties with businesses parking outside our properties.

"We know it is common land and that the parking space isn't registered to anyone, but we already have so many vehicles coming up and down here and there could potentially be whole families coming to this funeral home together which will have a big impact on the highway."

Prior to the works, the site's existing planning permission for use as a shop - classified under planning regulations as 'A1' - also covered use as a funeral home.

That meant the development didn't need further permission to go ahead, but Mrs Trevor said she believed the difference in business type was "a completely different ball game" and claimed it would also affect the value of homes in the vicinity.

She and her neighbours also had concerns about precisely what the business would be offering at the site and whether all relevant health and safety checks would be carried out prior to the business starting its activities, in addition to whether the development would receive adequate scrutiny from council planning chiefs - with whom the matter was raised.

Flintshire Council confirmed it had received "a range of allegations from the public about the type and nature of operation which will take place on the premises" and as such the authority had served the business with a Planning Contravention Notice.

This is a notice which legally requires the recipient to respond to the council’s questions regarding how the premises will be used to ensure that the operation conforms with the reasonable expectation of a A1 use of a Funeral Directors.

Following the completion of that process Stephen Johnstone, of the funeral directors, told the Leader no additional planning permission would be required.

He explained: "As we were already conducting funerals within Buckley and surrounding areas, we decided to start a new venture within the local town.

"Our aim is to be able to offer low cost funerals but with an exceptional standard of care.

"We offer a number of funeral packages, to suit each and every individual’s wishes, we are also able to make adaptions to these packages to suit.

"We pride ourselves on being able to offer a personal touch by always trying to ensure that all requirements are met.

"We believe that we are helping local people with employment, including all of the local trades people who have worked alongside us to be able to offer such a homely and personal environment for the members of the public."

Speaking of the concerns raised by the residents, he continued: "There should be no greater impact on the traffic or the parking surrounding our funeral home, than any other of the businesses that have been in situ at that site.

"We have noticed a slight decline in families wishing to visit their loved ones, and the ones who do, tend to want to travel together for support, in the one car.

"Our funeral vehicles will only be used on the day of a funeral service or during transfers into our care.

"Our funeral home, based in Buckley will consist of a welcoming and homely office area, where relatives can sit in comfort to discuss their wishes and requirements, an arrangement area – where the funeral arrangements will take place, a reflection room and Chapels of Rest – where friends and relatives can spend time with their loved one’s in a private and secure setting, their loved ones will remain in the chapels until the date of their funeral and there is also a secure garage – where our service vehicles will be kept.

"Prior research on the site showed that the building was certified as A1 – which already covers the requirement of funeral directors, therefore, notice to change was not required.

"Health and safety checks are completed regularly and when required.

"We have been in recent contact with the local councils and we are maintaining transparency in our plans and progress, which has now been agreed with Flintshire County Council, with them stating that a further grant of planning permission is not required. "Members of the public who have any concerns or questions are welcome to contact Mr Stephen Johnstone on 01244 568632.

"We hope to be able to build a respectful and sympathetic Independent funeral Directors whom local people can depend on during their time of need."