A SEARCH for new graveyards in Oxford has begun after it emerged space to bury the dead could run out within 10 years.

City council bosses commissioned a specialist firm to dig 10ft-deep test pits at two sites in Horspath, Hill View Farm in Marston and the Five Mile Drive recreation ground in Wolvercote, to find out if they are suitable for new cemeteries.

There have not been any new burial grounds created in the city since 1932 and Headington Cemetery ran out of space in 2003.

City councillor Mark Lygo said: “The city will run out of burial space between 2018 and 2024 and we need to make sure that we do something now to address this issue.”

He said many people would prefer to have a cemetery built close to their homes than new housing development.

Mr Lygo added: “I think people will be positive.”

A public consultation on allocating sites as potential burial grounds will be launched tomorrow.

But community groups have already signalled their objections.

Summertown Stars Football Club, which uses Five Mile Drive recreation ground, said it would campaign against any loss of pitches.

The 400-player club’s vice chairman, Roger Parry, said: “Teams like playing there and it is well used.

“Losing any of it would only increase pressure on Cutteslowe Park, which is already very busy, and all for not that much extra cemetery space.”

Wolvercote city councillor Mike Gotch added: “People walk their dogs there, play football there, and there is a play area and basketball court.

“The locals do not want to lose it.”

Meanwhile, Old Marston Parish Council said building a cemetery at Hill View Farm would cause major traffic problems in the village.

Clerk Kate Stratford said: “There are very narrow roads round there, and it would seem to make no sense at all put a burial ground there. Apart from anything else it is very wet.”

And, in Horspath, parish council chairman David Horsley said councillors had yet to form a view, but predicted the water table could be too high.

He said: “I am not convinced it is a suitable location, but we will let them do their tests and take it from there. If and when it comes to the stage of a proper planning application, we will react if we feel we should.”

The consultation runs until Friday, July 22. After soil tests, a second consultation on the preferred site will be launched later this year.

lsloan@oxfordmail.co.uk