Residents have slammed council plans to turn their neighbourhood's only allotments into a graveyard. Richmond Council wants to extend Teddington Cemetery onto Shacklegate Lane allotments to meet urgent demand for more burial spaces in the borough.

But residents have urged the authority to "prioritise the living over the dead" in letters opposing the application, as they said people rely on the allotments to grow food cheaply and for their mental health.

They stressed that demand for allotments in the borough was high with long waiting lists, as they argued for better long-term plans to provide burial spaces in Richmond without sacrificing the allotments.

The Shacklegate Lane allotments have been there for around 100 years (Credit: The Teddington Society)

The council told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) there was an "urgent need" to reclaim the land for burial space, and it would support allotment holders through the transition.

The authority said it was committed to maintaining an open dialogue with residents and stakeholders as the plans developed.

A total of 33 objection letters have been submitted to the plans.

One objector wrote: "The allotments are a space for people to meet and can bring people, communities and families together. They provide great support with mental health, can reduce isolation, can reduce stress and can support physical health with exercise.

"An allotment is a source of homegrown produce which promotes healthy living and can reduce grocery bills.

"They are a great sense of achievement and also a great learning environment for both adults and children. Allotments are an all-round positive benefit for so many people."

Another resident commented: "Prioritise the living over the dead. Removing green space used by living humans in the community to make room for the dead is backwards thinking."

A third resident similarly argued: "I believe the priority should be given to the living to be able to grow their own food at a time of cost of living and food insecurity rather than the dead. A grave plot is only affordable to the wealthy."

A fourth objector added: "They are the last remaining allotments in Teddington and provide an important resource for the local community including the charities that use it.

"We will always need more burial space which requires long-term planning, and it seems like a short-sighted plan to take our last remaining allotments to provide it."

The council's application would change the use of the land into a cemetery to allow Teddington Cemetery to extend, if it was granted.

Planning documents said the borough has an increasing and ageing population, while only Teddington, Twickenham and Richmond cemeteries accept new burials.

The documents said Teddington Cemetery was due to reach capacity in the next year, which meant extending it was "required imminently". It is estimated the extension could provide burial space for another 30 years.

The documents added: "This proposed burial provision would therefore support the community, which will be increasingly transforming by an increasing and ageing population, by providing an important community facility into the medium-term future."

A Richmond Council spokesperson told the LDRS: "Richmond Council understands how important the allotments are to our community and to those who have cared for them over the years.

"While there is an urgent need to reclaim this land for burial space, we will be working closely with all plot holders to support them through this transition.

"We realise this is disruptive and we are helping allotment holders find suitable alternative plots at other sites wherever possible, following the guidance of the National Allotment Society to ensure fairness and support.

"We value the community spirit that allotments foster, and we are exploring ways to maintain growing opportunities within the reclaimed area, such as community raised beds, to continue supporting local gardeners and groups.

"Our goal is to provide a range of large and small planters throughout the site and enhance biodiversity of the site."

The council will make a decision on the plans by October 28. You can still comment on the plans on the council website.