THE developers behind a proposed crematorium say there are plans in place to make the site carbon neutral.

The new crematorium planned fir the Maldon district could be built off the A414 Maldon Road near Woodham Mortimer.

It is set to be the greenest in the UK according to developer Elegy.

The plans are for it to be fitted with the latest filtration equipment to make sure processes are clean to the air.

The developer also plans to recycle energy from the process to heat the buildings and reduce its carbon footprint.

The facility, which Elegy claims nine out of ten Maldon residents voted in favour of, will mean that long journeys to other crematoriums will be reduced.

Journeys could be cut from the 40-minute drives that some had to make to attend a funeral.

Elegy also plans "significant" tree planting to take place on the premises.

The planning application is yet to be approved by Maldon District Council, but should be heard by the planning committee this month.

Elegy director Richard Evans said: “We want to create a beautiful, natural setting for each funeral and this also helps to keep our environmental impact to a minimum.

“The environmental performance of crematoria has been transformed over the past 20 years with the introduction of highly sophisticated filtration equipment.

“Britain leads the way in this field and Elegy wants to ensure that we only use the best available technology to limit our impact.

“Our application was submitted at the end of last year and we are not aware of any outstanding issues or objections. We are now keen for councillors to hear our case.”

If the plans are approved, the crematorium will seat 100 people and hold four funerals a day.

Funeral director Paul King, of Paul J King Funeral Directors, said: “There has long been a need for a new crematorium to serve the Maldon district and everyone I know in the local bereavement service wants to see these plans permitted as soon as possible so we can improve the situation for families suffering a loss.”