Councillors held a secret meeting to decide on the future of the crematorium
06:00, 06 Feb 2026Updated 07:25, 06 Feb 2026
Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council has scrapped its plans to build the creamatorium(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service)
A borough council has scrapped its £5m plan to build a crematorium and wants to hand the land over to a developer.
Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council met on Tuesday, December 9, at a full council meeting to “consider the future of the crematorium site”, during which the press and public were excluded.
Twenty-six councillors met during the full council meeting to pass a motion approving a report.
It was decided that “due to rising construction costs and difficulties within the contractor market”, plans for the council to build the crematorium would be abandoned.
In a statement to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), the council has now confirmed it will sell the land instead, with a “strict condition” that it can only be used for this purpose.
A council spokesperson said those wanting to buy the land would need to “demonstrate proven experience in developing crematoria” and the chosen developer “may be able to use the existing council-approved plans” but would have to go through planning permission once again, including renewing highways and ecological assessments.
The news has also been confirmed in budget plans seen by the LDRS with the crematorium “no longer proceeding” and £4m being struck off its capital programme during a budget meeting on Thursday, February.
The initial development of the site off the A47, Leicester Road near Earl Shilton, was approved by planning authorities in January 2019.
Work started in early 2020 but stalled in 2021 due to “ongoing national issues with obtaining labour and materials” as well as poor ground conditions.
The borough council appointed construction company Kier Group to undertake the £4.6m building project, which was scheduled for completion in early 2022.
However, years later, the project wasn’t completed and has now been abandoned by the council.
The £5 million building was supposed to include a ceremonial hall suitable for multi-faith services, space for the crematorium plant and equipment, and offices for administration staff.
Outside features would have included memorial gardens, covered walkways, new roads and car parks.
The project, previously scheduled for early next year, will reduce local waiting times for cremation services.
An artist’s impression of what the Hinckley crematorium would have looked like(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service)
Stuart Bray, Lib Dem leader of Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, said that the council was “committed to delivering a crematorium on that site, albeit in a different way.”
He also told the LDRS that the council was undergoing a “procurement process which remains confidential”.
Cllr Keith Lynch, executive member for finance, ICT and asset management at the borough council, said: “I have always been committed to delivering a crematorium for Hinckley. This stance has not changed and never will.
“I thank my fellow elected members across all parties for their backing on this proposal. We are still determined to ensure that a modern, fit-for-purpose crematorium facility is built to serve our community.
“It is important that our residents have an alternative, affordable facility close to home that will reduce waiting and travelling times while creating jobs for local people. I look forward to seeing the bids that potential providers submit. Only the best one for Hinckley and Bosworth will be progressed.”
The LDRS contacted Kier Group for comment.
