PLANS for a crematorium hit into the rough amid fears that grieving mourners could be struck by wayward balls have been allowed on appeal after a government inspector found concerns had been addressed by revised proposals.

Following a protracted planning saga, Dignity Plc will now be able to build a single-storey, state-of-the-art crematorium near the former Castle Eden Brewery, in east Durham.

Durham county councillors rejected the original plans in April 2014 after villagers, councillors and Castle Eden Golf Club claimed the peace and quiet of the proposed chapel and memorial garden could have been rudely interrupted by miscued drives from the tee.

An appeal lodged by the company was dismissed in February 2015, after an inspector noted the “clear risk” arising to mourners congregating in the formal gardens, from balls mis-hit from the fourth tee.

Dignity Plc submitted revised plans with the layout changed to move the memorial garden to a more central position to overcome concerns about stray balls.

But following dozens of objections, including from Easington MP Graeme Morris, the council again turned down the plans.

Finding in the company’s favour following a renewed appeal last November, planning Inspector Jonathan Price said, while the safety risk to workers and mourners would not be eliminated, the revised proposals “now provide safety margins that would reduce this to an acceptable level”.

He noted a separation of 80m from the centre line of the fairway to the boundary was generally applied industry standard for safety.

“It is accepted that a misdirected shot could reach any part of the crematorium development from either the third or forth tee,” he said.

“The human impact of being struck by a golf ball can be serious and potentially fatal but the evidence does not suggest this is a common occurrence outside golf courses.”

Objectors had said any ball falling where mourners gathered would have a “particularly unfortunate impact regardless of any physical harm given the solemn nature of proceedings”.

The inspector also ruled that concerns about crime on a lane from the B1281 were addressed proposals for the installation of vehicle barriers and a CCTV.

He noted: “The development would be quite significant relative to the small size of the village but would meet a need acceptable in this area of countryside.”