The St. Ann Municipal Corporation is being urged to expedite plans to create more burial space in the parish, as steps are now being taken to close the cemetery in St. Ann’s Bay.

This as the St. Ann’s Bay cemetery is said to be full.

The issue was raised at Thursday’s meeting of the corporation.

Councillor for the St. Ann’s Bay division Dallas Dickenson stated that following the closure of cemeteries in Ocho Rios and Lime Hall, the St. Ann’s Bay cemetery has become the man burial ground for persons in the parish.

Dickenson noted that the St. Ann’s Bay cemetery is now at capacity and preparations are being made by the Municipal Corporation to close it.

Councillor for the Beecher Town division Ian bell called on the corporation to speedily find new burial space.

Bell pointed out that under the previous administration, land had been made available in Walkerswood and Tobalski, for the establishment of new cemeteries.

He called on the corporation to revisit the plans for those areas, in light of the possible closure of the cemetery in St. Ann’s Bay.

Other councillors raised concern that reduced burial space at designated cemeteries will lead to an increase in families applying for permits to bury their dead on family plots.