CDS employ a team of qualified field surveyors, CAD designers and engineers and in combination with our retained architects are able to offer an almost unrivalled service specialising in cemetery design and construction.

Some of our recent and current cemetery design projects are sketched out below:

Dagenham

CDSL were asked to undertake an HLF project in conjunction with Dagenham Wildlife Trust to turn a run down churchyard into a vibrant nature trail for the local community.  In April 2008, CDSL cleared the site of scrub and tip waste to produce a finished surface for seeding with wildflowers in June 2008, by August of that year the results were breathtaking! The project has proven to be a tremendous success with many tributes paid by the public.

Ghana

CDSL are now producing some of the UK’s most innovative designs and as such have been asked to design cemeteries and chapels internationally.

This chapel was designed for a client in Ghana, the brief was for a chapel to accommodate up to 2000 worshippers.  The large wooden doors open out to embrace the congregation in the open air.

The construction design should be simple and clean to fit in with traditional design precepts , and must be able to be readily built from local labour and materials.

County Durham (Derwentside)

In 2005 CDS were commissioned to review 8 tracts of land and find the most suitable site for the development of the new district cemetery.  A detailed environmental audit was undertaken of all sites followed by a feasibility study that ensured the site selected would fulfil all the practical, economic and social issues required.

Once the site was selected further environmental tests were carried out and a series of designs were drawn up.  The design was to accommodate a sextons hut, toilet block and public shelter.  Because of the exposed nature of the site an extensive tree planting scheme was designed by CDS in-house landscape team, providing a tree and shrub planting scheme of over 30 tree species and extensive shrub and ornamental planting.

CDS undertook the planning application, negotiating and designing the egress and access of the site to highways approval.  Planning was granted within 8 weeks with no conditions attached.  CDSL undertook the contractors brief and bill of quantities and upon appointment of the successful contractor put together all the necessary CDM documentation and HSE pack on behalf of the client.

Works started on site in April 2008 and is due for completion in July 2008 for opening in October 2008.

CDS are the appointed project managers as well as providing the clerk of works and setting out engineers, this ensures continuity from initiation to completion.

Flint

With less than 9 months before the existing burial grounds run out of space, a new site has to be purchased designed and an application for planning made.

The site had been assessed and full EA grants given following CDSL environmental audits.

CDS undertook all the design and planning application information requirements including drainage, design and access statements and  highway connections.

Cheshunt Broxbourne

Five sites were assessed for environmental, economic and social suitability.  The site selected for the south of the borough was an extension area just off the existing Cheshunt cemetery.  Whilst it fulfilled most of the design criterion, its main problem was road noise off the dual carriageway to the west of the site.

CDS engineers proposed the construction of an acoustic bund, this created significant planning issues however it was the most favoured by the client.The CDS design team and its partners Open Architecture devised an attractive scheme that would facilitate the use of the bund as a back drop and engineering support for a number of mausoleums requested by the local Italian community.  The site was also to be a legacy for the council and its approach to modern design.  The design of the cemetery was therefore to be contemporary and demonstrate the progressive thinking that the council wanted to express.