Wantage Park

Earlier this year, proposals for Wantage Park, a state-of-the-art crematorium with ceremonial spaces and a café, were developed following extensive consultation and careful consideration of the feedback received.

While the application was ultimately refused by the Council’s Planning Committee, the decision reflected concerns about development within the site's designated Green Wedge. Development in a Green Wedge is not prohibited, but proposals must be sympathetic to the surrounding environment and continue to support community access and use.

As we continue to see demand on cremation services with existing crematoria in the area operating beyond capacity, leading to longer waiting times and reduced service availability for bereaved families, this scheme is still very much needed and we would like to work with the community to address and resolve the concerns and issues they have raised.

We have listened carefully to the feedback received throughout the planning process and have used it to shape a significantly revised scheme. 

The revised application includes a number of changes intended to address concerns identified through the planning process, including reductions in the scale and visual impact of the development, enhanced landscaping and screening, and improvements designed to better integrate the proposal with its surroundings.

It will also deliver wider benefits for local people. The proposals include softened landscaping, community meeting facilities and improved pathways linking neighbouring green spaces, helping to maintain public access and create a valuable community asset that supports wellbeing while remaining sensitive to its surroundings.

We intend to take a revised proposal for Wantage Park back to Strategic Planning Committee in November 2026.

Revising the proposal

All comments and feedback have been carefully considered, and significant revisions have been made to the original proposal to make it more sympathetic to the local area. 

This includes:

• The height and overall scale of the development, including the chimney stack, has been reduced
• The proposed footpath and road into the site have been reduced to allow more green space, and the lower car park surfacing has been changed to improve integration with the surroundings
• A perimeter path around the site has been introduced, which will link into neighbouring green spaces and dog waste bins will be installed
• The location of the memorial garden has been moved to increase separation from public footpaths
• The overall landscaping to the wider development has been softened with more planting to provide a natural screening between the crematorium and the community footpath link
• The Northern Field, which is the green space to the north of the application and south of the Crowfields Common, is part of the existing local plan and will be protected as much as possible

Map

The proposed site for Wantage Park remains:

Wantage Farm
Round Spinney
Northampton
NN3 7TR

Site location

The proposed boundaries for Wantage Park can be viewed below:

Sustainable design

Wantage Park would include an energy-efficient electric cremator, heat recovery systems, solar panels, and green roofs. These features contribute to significantly lower CO2 emissions, and align with our vision for a sustainable, prosperous and inclusive West Northamptonshire.

The development’s landscaping would also support local biodiversity, enhancing the natural beauty of the area and providing a peaceful setting for visitors.

A community asset  

Wantage Park will offer the community additional benefits, with the surrounding land transformed into recreational spaces with walking paths and green areas. In addition to its primary role as a crematorium, the facility also provides softened landscaping, ceremonial spaces, meeting facilities and a café.

A flexible event space: The Mayflower, which can accommodate up to 60 people. We are seeking to work with Moulton Parish Council to formalise a Community Use Agreement (CUA) that allows these facilities to be used by the wider community outside of normal operating hours.

During operational hours, and in partnership with West Northamptonshire Public Health, the space can support a range of community wellbeing initiatives, including bereavement support sessions, loneliness cafés, financial wellbeing advice, and drop-in advisory services. It will also provide a flexible venue for local groups, such as mother and baby sessions and similar community-focused activities, helping to address social isolation and improve wellbeing.

Project progress

We intend to consult with local stakeholders including Moulton Parish Council, local councillors and Northampton School. 

The project will be up for formal consultation as part of the planning process before it goes back to Planning Committee in November. You can share your feedback via the planning portal.

Archaeological site investigations

Residents may notice some activity at the site of the proposed new crematorium as archaeological investigations take place. These works are being carried out to assess whether there are any historical remains present, and to determine how best to either preserve or record them should the project continue to go ahead.

Initial surveys suggest the site may contain features dating back to the Iron Age, roughly 2,700 to 2,000 years ago. There is also possible evidence of Roman and Saxon activity. To explore this further, archaeologists will be opening trenches to examine any surviving remains, and identify pottery or other finds that can help confirm their age and significance.

Any remains that cannot be preserved in place will be fully investigated and recorded as part of this process.

We will keep updating this page as the project progresses.

Consultation documents

You can view the public consultation documents below. As further documents become available, they will be uploaded.

Further information

We have put together a table of Frequently Asked Questions, which you can download:

Last updated 18 September 2026