Work has begun to provide Herne Bay with its own crematorium, with developers saying the new centre will provide nearby residents “exceptional levels of care”.

The new facility is being constructed in Bullockstone Road by the Westerleigh Group, which is hopeful it will be up and running by the autumn.

Ian McArdle, chief property officer at the building firm, says the centre will fill a need in the area and save grieving families from having to travel long distances.

“Research showed there is a need for additional crematoria capacity in the area,” said Mr McArdle.

“The new crematorium will meet that need, giving communities of Herne Bay, Whitstable and surrounding areas more choice and the chance to benefit from the exceptional levels of care that the group prides itself on providing.

“The new facility will also shorten the travel journey currently required to Barham Crematorium, the Group’s existing site serving the area.

“It will be a pleasant, peaceful place for people to visit and reflect.

“And, as with all our facilities, the new crematorium will be sympathetically designed to blend into its surroundings.

“We consulted a number of local funeral directors, who have given overwhelming support for our new crematorium, which they say is appropriately located and well-designed.”

The Westerleigh Group had previously aimed to have the centre operational by early 2023.

But the project was delayed by setbacks in getting the plans approved, and coordinating logistics with Kent County Council’s highways team.

Now, site clearance work is under way.

The construction work itself will not begin until January, with completion expected in the second half of the year.

Despite the hold-up, once finished, the 14-acre site will feature a 98-seat chapel, waiting room, crematory, 89 parking spaces and a memorial garden.

Documents produced by Westerleigh state the crematorium will be the nearest facility for about 108,000 people, and within 30 minutes of 89,000 residents.

It will mean grieving families will no longer have to venture to Barham or Margate for services.

Papers written by the firm say: "A large population in the north of the Canterbury district, around Herne Bay and Whitstable, is not served by a crematorium within the ideal 30-minute cortege drive time.

“The location of the proposal site would be the nearest accessible crematorium for about 108,000 people and would be within 30 minutes for the first time to a population of 89,000 people.

“When considered against the context of a rising population and increasing death rate the additional capacity in the Herne Bay and Whitstable area becomes increasingly important.”