Controversy over headstone plans

A display area has been approved at Bannockburn Cemetery

Stirling Council are assessing plans by a headstone company to build a commercial display area in a cemetery.

A planning application by Forget Thee Not Memorials has been lodged for the facility at St Thomas' Cemetery in Cambusbarron in Stirling.

The application follows another for a similar display at Bannockburn Cemetery, which was controversially approved by the council last month.

If created, the displays would be the first of their type in the district.

The local authority's planners had originally recommended the Bannockburn Cemetery plan be refused after concerns were raised about its "sensitivity".

I just feel that it's introducing business and not in keeping with how a cemetery should be Arline Brisbane Cambusbarron Community Council

The company behind the proposals have also put forward adjoining plans to provide toilet facilities at both cemeteries on a daily basis, in contrast to the current council-run facilities which are only available during funerals.

The lack of toilet access has resulted in many people giving their approval to the plans, including local Labour MP Anne McGuire and SNP MSP Bruce Crawford.

Despite widespread support for improved toilet access, the connected plans for commercial displays have proved controversial.

Arline Brisbane, chair of Cambusbarron Community Council, said locals were in favour of improved toilet access but were unconvinced by plans to install a memorial display.

We are a business and we are always looking for opportunities to expand the business Bill McDonald Forget Thee Not Memorials

She also called on Stirling Council to improve the way it runs local cemeteries.

She said: "Something about it doesn't ring true. I just feel that it's introducing business and not in keeping with how a cemetery should be.

"The community council have been asked by the council for our opinion but while we support better toilet access we have reservations about the business side of things."

The man behind the proposals, Bill McDonald of Forget Thee Not Memorials, insisted his plans were fair.

He said: "I am happy to fund the toilets, clean them on a daily basis and bring in disabled toilets and a waiting area. These are things that are desperately needed in these cemeteries."

Mr McDonald acknowledged that some people might find the idea of a commercial outlet within a cemetery uncomfortable, but he added: "This is the 21st Century. We are a business and we are always looking for opportunities to expand the business.

"We are not talking about putting a tuck shop in the middle of the cemetery. This is a memorial business."