This year Poole is due to run out of burial space and its long desire for a new cemetery could move a step closer.

Borough of Poole has approved the re-opening of Branksome and Poole Cemeteries for burials but a long-term solution is required.

There has been a plan for a new cemetery on 26 acres of land at Magna Road.

The site is jointly owned by Borough of Poole and Bournemouth Borough Council.

However, the latter has no grave shortage, with 10-15 years burial capacity remaining in its cemeteries.

It is Green Belt land and would need planning permission, new highway access and parking for an estimated 60 burials a year.

A report to go before Poole’s environment overview and scrutiny committee on Thursday, will propose recommending to cabinet that they go ahead with the policy of providing a new cemetery, subject to agreement with Bournemouth council.

Capital investment of £225,000 would be needed to fund the project from Poole, which could be recovered within seven years, with ongoing maintenance costs of £53,500 a year.

Officers would negotiate a 15-year lease or management agreement with the neighbouring authority and there would be a new pricing schedule.

“However, as an overriding principle, the cemetery would be available for burials for both Poole and Bournemouth residents and the normal practice of double fee charging would only apply to people residing outside of these two boroughs,” said Clive Smith, head of leisure services, in the report.

The report points out that as not all of the site is required, additional income could be generated from alternative uses.