Burial space on the Island is expected to have run out by early next year.

Swale council gave an update on the situation at the Local Engagement Forum meeting in Sheerness last Tuesday.

Based on the current levels of burials taking place at Sheppey Cemetery, at Halfway – the only one with available plots – it is anticipated it will be full by early 2014.

Investigations into finding alternative sites started several years ago, but these have not been productive for a number of reasons.

The council’s preferred option was to extend into the farmland next to the cemetery in Halfway Road, but it has not been possible for it to reach an agreement on an appropriate value for the land with the current owner.

There is also an issue with the Island’s high water table, as it means choices are limited, and the Environment Agency has said it would not support applications at some sites.

It is hoped an agreement could be reached if they did find somewhere, but cost is again the main stumbling block.

The council is also trying to take into account other considerations for a new location, such as closeness to public transport, vehicular access and residents’ views. When the existing land is full, it will be possible for Islanders’ burials to take place at Iwade Cemetery, which it is hoped will be ready by the end of this year.

Although it is not a statutory requirement for authorities to provide local burial space – just sufficient plots within the borough – Swale council does acknowledge residents would prefer to be buried on Sheppey and is continuing to try to find somewhere.

At the meeting, the council’s chief executive Abdool Kara explained: “There isn’t any affordable land.

“We have looked at lots of sites on the Island – those on the market and other local authority sites – and none are available at a price we can afford.

“It is our intent to find further burial space on the Island but if we don’t have the money and they can’t sell at a price that’s reasonable – we can’t do it.

“We will seek to find space within that year.”