Wildlife thrives at East Devon Crematorium 10 years after opening

The endangered great crested newt and the rare horseshoe bat are just two of the species which have found their home in the grounds of a local crematorium in Whimple.

As East Devon Crematorium turns 10 years old, colleagues are reflecting on the success of the ecological enhancements which have attracted some rare and interesting wildlife to make the site their home.

East Devon Crematorium, located between Exeter and Honiton, first opened its doors on 13 April 2011 before holding a dedication ceremony on 15 June with the Bishop of Exeter.

Set in 10 acres of land, the site encompasses landscaped memorial gardens, establishing woodland with ponds and areas of wild flowers and grasses. 

Working with Devon Wildlife Trust's ecology consultancy arm to identify opportunities for habitat enhancements, the most recent surveys have highlighted a number of new habitats on site which provide foraging, sheltering and nesting opportunities for a wide range of species.

A variety of wildlife has been found at the site which is owned by Southern Co-op - the regional, independent co-operative. These include at least seven species of bat including the common bat, the soprano pipistrelle bat and the rarer horseshoe bat; great crested newts with seven females and 10 males; 12 species of butterfly including cinnabar moths which are a priority species as part of the UK biodiversity action plan; more than 20 bird species including the RSPB Red List house sparrow and song thrush; and 48 invertebrate species.

Steve Pearce, Chief Operating Officer for End of Life Services at Southern Co-op, said: "It has been such a pleasure to watch the site flourish over the last decade.

"The area, which was previously a cultivated field with wildlife limited to the edges of the site, now gives families from Exmouth to Bridport a calm place to remember their loved ones.

"It seems fitting to mark our tenth anniversary by reflecting on this work and to continue to look forward at a number of other landscape improvement projects in the year ahead including a new wild grass and flower meadow being sown later this summer."

Built by the firm Stepnell, the £4m East Devon Crematorium was originally designed and developed by a consortium under East Devon Crematorium Limited.

Brought together by Cornwall-based Chris Johns, business partners and investors included Chairman Jeremy Sharman, Finance Director Steve Sheridan and Southern Co-op which later became the sole owner in 2016.

The crematorium, which is looked after by seven on site colleagues, features sophisticated environmental engineering and incorporates some of the most advanced technology currently available.

In 2019, solar PV (photovoltaic) panels were installed as part of the co-operative's wider work to reduce its carbon footprint and its commitment to reduce absolute greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 from a 2019 base.

The coming year will also see the introduction of new stone and woodland memorial orbs which will enhance the site and enable the cremated remains to be buried above ground.

To find out more about East Devon Crematorium, visit www.eastdevoncrematorium.co.uk orwww.facebook.com/EastDevonCrematorium.