Proposals for a new cemetery in the north of the city which will provide a long-term solution to Cardiff's burial space shortage has been agreed by the Council's Cabinet today.

The new 12.5 acre cemetery site will provide much-needed burial space for the next 35-40 years.

The land, which is already owned by the Council and currently leased as farmland, is located north of the M4 on the A469. The new site is less than 650 metres from the existing cemetery at Thornhill and will provide a series of potential benefits including:

• Management of the site remains at the Thornhill current site;
• Consequently operational costs are not significantly increased;
• Costs from constructing facilities and offices will be avoided;
• The new site will provide a number of burial choices including a dedicated natural burial section.

Cabinet Member for Clean Streets, Recycling and Environment, Cllr Michael Michael said: "Cardiff is one of the UK's fastest-growing cities so it is essential that we continue to provide burial facilities for our residents over the short and longer term.

"Cardiff's expansion means that it was vital for a new site to be identified and will be constructed to cater for the city's needs. The proposed site will provide a cost-effective solution, using existing resources based at Thornhill Cemetery and managed to the same high standards."

Cardiff Bereavement Services currently carry out an average of 1,350 burials per year with 700 of those taking place at Thornhill Cemetery, including the provision of 200 new graves per year. First opened in 1952, the site was expanded in 2010 and covers a total of 45 acres. There are no options to further extend Thornhill due to its borders with residential housing and roads.

A number of sites that meet the detailed and key criteria were considered during investigations by officers looking to identify suitable ground. Work is also continuing to identify a site in the east of the city.

The plans include a proposal that a fifth of the new site being developed will be a natural/woodland burial area which will have a positive impact on the local environment and will encourage native plants and wildlife to flourish.