NEIGHBOURS of a rural house are opposing a bid by a funeral directors to set up a mortuary and chapel of rest on the site.

Ian Watts and Son funeral directors has been given notice to quit its current premises in Bream High Street and wants to move its 30-staff operation to The Magpies at Neds Top in Oldcroft.

But some residents in the Forest hamlet have told planners they object to having the funeral business next door, which they claim will damage the character, beauty and safety of the area.

A young family who have recently moved in next to The Magpies said the business would overlook their property, and seeing hearses and coffins “would distress young children.”

The family, who have not been identified on the Forest Council’s planning portal, added: “The character of Oldcroft would not suit a business, especially of this nature, as it would bring an increase in traffic, noise, disturbance and loss of privacy.

“Most of the roads leading to the site are single track lanes and would not cope with an increase of traffic that a commercial business would bring.

“Not only would the hearses struggle with the lanes, other road users would be unable to pass on certain points along the route making access to the residents’ own properties difficult.

“There would obviously be an increase in traffic to The Magpies as a result of people visiting the chapel of rest, bodies arriving, funeral processions, employees, along with long opening hours six days a week,” they said.

“The lanes throughout Oldcroft are also heavily used by horse riders, walkers and children as the area is so quiet. Any increase due to a business would put the whole community at risk and prevent local people from living the way they have done for generations.

“All members of the community value the quaint, quiet, rural nature of Oldcroft. Therefore, any signage, vehicles or lowering of walls and hedgerows that this business is planning would ruin the residential character of Neds Top.”

Fellow neighbour Kamie Wood, who also has young children, said: “I think this is a ridiculous idea to add not only a business to this very small hamlet, but a business of this nature.

“Neds Top is built up of families with children and pets. I believe the nature of this business would not be appropriate.

“My children for one would find this very upsetting and difficult to deal with. It would ruin Neds Top for us living only a couple of houses away.”

The business has applied to convert a detached garage and annexe at The Magpies, and has supplied details of a survey showing “a very low volume of traffic” on the access road.

Its planning agent, John Powell, told planners: “Various alternative sites have been looked at, but none were found to be suitable. Some 30 people are employed locally who will be affected if suitable premises cannot be found.”

He said that when a hearse leaves the site, the passenger would stand on the opposite side of the lane to ensure a safe exit.