An extension and revamp of the “Flower Court” – the exit from the main hall – at Coychurch Crematorium (pictured above) will cost more than twice the original estimate, according to a report due to be discussed by the Crematorium Joint Committee later this week (pdf).
The extension was improved in principle in 2018 to help ease crowding in the area following services and also provide a higher quality space. The project has, nevertheless, been delayed by the pandemic.
The original estimated cost was around £550,000. However, several factors including the impact of the pandemic, the bespoke requirements of extending a listed building (the first major extension since it opened in 1970) and inflation have seen the costs rise.
The value of the contract has risen to just under £1.3million. The extra money will come from the crematorium’s reserve funds.
Additionally, as has become a common factor across all council departments, it appears as though only one contractor responded to the tender.
Work is set to start on the Flower Court project sometime during 2022.
