By Hayley Robinson

Plans to build a new cemetery in Iwade have been delayed.

Work on the new development behind All Saints' Church was due to start in July with the first burial in September.

But Swale council is still waiting for developer Ward Homes, which is building houses close to the new cemetery site, to transfer the land.

The council has set aside £100,000 for developing the cemetery and will pay the annual costs of approximately £10,000.

The new site is needed because Sittingbourne Cemetery, in Bell Road, is almost full.

There will be approximately 40 plots for child burials, 200 plots for burials with large kerb sets and about 300 plots for burials with headstones. The plans include parking for 12 to 18 cars.

The proposal also includes the transfer of a Grade II listed barn to the council to be used as a depot for the council's grounds maintenance contractor.

The cemetery will also serve Sheppey because its cemetery in Halfway will soon reach capacity.

A council spokesman said: "We are now just waiting for the developer to sign the transfer agreement which will make us the legal owners of the site.

"Once the land is ours we have to complete preliminary survey work of the site before the landscaping can begin."