CITY councillors have pencilled in a patch of land south of Greater Leys in their hunt for more burial space in Oxford.

Bob Timbs, Oxford City Council’s executive member for leisure, who is in charge of the council’s cemeteries, said Sandford Brake would be investigated.

The city council-owned spot was described by Gordon Roper, of Blackbird Leys parish council, as an area of waste ground, although others consider it a beauty spot.

The Town Hall needs to find more space as Headington and Rose Hill cemeteries are closed to new burials, and Botley and Wolvercote cemeteries have limited space.

Mr Timbs and his team is close to launching a feasibility study of potential sites, but warned it would be several years before work could begin on any new cemetery.

He said: “We are looking at a number of sites for a cemetery and Sandford Brake is one of those.

“It is very close to the Blackbird Leys estate because residents said they have to travel to Summertown or Botley to go to graves.

“The site is in the plan to look at, but until we have done the consultation we do not know where it is going to go. It is just one of the sites we are looking at.

“If the new housing development goes ahead at Grenoble Road, it would be very close to the housing so it might not be a feasible spot.”

Mr Timbs said the council had looked at Google maps to identify possible sites for a new cemetery.

He added: “Sandford Brake has been on the short list, or long list, for quite a while now but we haven’t made any decisions at all and we won’t probably for another year.”

Mr Roper said: “I’m glad the council is moving on it. Residents have been asking for a burial ground for years or a remembrance garden to remember their loved ones.

“I’m pleased that Bob Timbs is looking at this site and it will be a big relief to residents.

“At least Blackbird Leys is not being forgotten for a cemetery, I’m supportive of it. It’s on the periphery of Blackbird Leys, which is ideal and it’s easily accessible.”

City council spokesman Louisa Dean said: “We have plenty of space remaining for several years at Wolvercote and Botley cemeteries.

“This year we will be carrying out a feasibility study to look at potential sites to increase burial space in the city for the future.”

COUNTY PLOTS

WORK to create more burial space in Oxford could be up to six years away.

Headington and Rose Hill cemeteries have been closed to new burials since 2003 and 1995.

Botley and Wolvercote cemeteries can meet demand for 10 years.

Headington Cemetery was extended in 1932.

Kidlington could run out of plots within two years.

Thame Town Council is considering converting allotments for graves.