An Avondale councillor has hit out at landowners over the lack of burial space in Strathaven.
South Lanarkshire Council say while space is available for existing lairholders in Strathaven Cemetery - new plots aren’t available.
The local authority has put out several pleas to landowners in the area who would be willing to sell suitable land but this, as yet, has fallen on deaf ears.
And Independent Councillor Margaret Cooper has hit out at landowners who she claims are hoping to cash in on possible housing developments if they hold on to plots, or charge an inflated price.
Residents have also taken to community pages calling for something to be done.
One wrote: “There is no land available to bury your family, but of course there’s land to build houses.
“Regardless if you’re from Strathaven or have decided to make this your home, if you have family already buried in Strathaven or not.
“Should you or a loved now die, your final journey to your resting place will definitely be outside Strathaven...your family will be laid to rest in separate towns because there’s no resting place in Strathaven.”
Councillor Cooper wrote on Facebook: “I know people have been commenting on the lack of cemetery provision in Strathaven. It is a fact that there are no plots left.
“The Council has been seeking ground for a new cemetery for the last 2/3 years and it has been unsuccessful this far.
“The Council does not have land around the town that would be suitable. Whilst there is land adjacent and behind Dovecastle, this is waterlogged.
“Land owners around the area are not prepared to sell land to the Council even though it is green belt - they want either to keep the land hoping it will eventually become an area for housing development or they want to charge the Council at housing development site rates.
“Whilst the Council is not obliged to provide a cemetery in every town, they are well aware of the residents feelings on the matter.
“I have worked closely with officers over the last two-three years to seek out a new area.”
SLC’s Head of Facilities, Waste and Grounds, Alistair McKinnon, said: “Strathaven cemetery still has significant capacity for burials for existing lair holders.
“The council has and continues to review opportunities for providing additional cemetery provision in the local area.”
