CLICK HERE FOR LINK

Regular visitors to a London park want permission to be buried there alongside their pets in a scheme they claim could generate up to £5 million. 

Camden environment chief Councillor Meric Apak has pledged to review the idea to allow burials at Talacre town green in Kentish Town.

Peter Cuming from the Friends of Talacre claimed there would be room for 5,000 burials at the park. The fees would help pay for the future upkeep of the green space next to Kentish Town West station .

Mr Cuming, who is chairman of the group, said Camden council could charge £2,500 per plot per person and £1,000 for animals.

He said: “It would be great revenue for the council and I would readily pay the money up front. There would be no headstones or anything but people would be laid to rest under the turf. Family and friends would be given GPS coordinates of their final resting place.”

Mr Cuming told the Camden New Journal: “It would be a nice income stream and the councillors say they have run out of money. I say, let’s get a wee bit commercial. Half the open spaces in Camden are former burial grounds already. 

“I will put my money where my mouth is. I will reserve two burial plots. I’m paying in advance of the event. That’s money in the bank.” 

He added: “On the fateful day a mini-JCB can dig a hole and drop me in. I don’t even want a box.”

Cllr Apak said: “We are always open to innovative ideas from friends groups to help in managing the budget reductions we face. 

“If the community of Talacre are supportive of Mr Cuming’s idea, if he has a proposal that stacks up financially and legally, we would welcome reviewing the idea with him and the Friends of Talacre.”