By Rashleigh MacFarlane

Plans for a huge Muslim cemetery at Callington have been withdrawn.

The charity “Gardens of Mercy” had applied to Cornwall Council for permission to change the use of agricultural grazing land to a burial ground.

It is not clear why the planning application was withdrawn but County Hall has issued a decision notice confirming that it would make no further progress.

The proposal includedcreating new woodland and a wildflower meadow.

The Islamic faith calls for bodies to be buried, with the head facing Mecca, as soon as possible after death.  Cremation is not allowed.  The burial takes place after bathing and shrouding.  The body is not placed in a coffin.

In nearly all other respects an Islamic burial is very similar to those which follow Christian rituals.  Graves are now typically marked with a simple headstone.

The application sharply divided opinion, with 167 comments in support and 165 objections.

The application concerned Land North East Of Meadowside, South Hill Road.

The plans would have involved the creation of a specific Muslim burial ground, while provision for other faiths would have been included in a different part of the site.

There is currently no dedicated natural burial ground for Muslims anywhere in Devon or Cornwall, although there are parts of Penzance and St Columb cemeteries set aside for those who wish their remains to be treated in accordance with the Islamic faith.

The Gardens of Mercy charity was founded earlier this year.  Its trustees appear to be mainly doctors and other medical professionals.

Cornwall Reports understands the new cemetery, if approved, would have seen about 15 burials per year.  The nearest alternative site for Islamic burials is in South Gloucestershire.

rashleighmacfarlane@cornwallreports.co.uk