A CEMETERY with enough plots to provide for a city until 2050 has been opened, more than 40 years after proposals were made for burials at the site.

Nigel Simms, the Mayor of the District of Harrogate and Pauline McHardy, the Mayor of Ripon, unveiled the 3.6-acre Lark Hill Cemetery off Little Harries Lane in Ripon, which has space for over 600 burial plots.

Work started on the site in 2013, following lengthy investigation works to identify a suitable location.

It had been found extending the Kirkby Road cemetery, which is close to becoming full, was unsuitable due to drainage problems.

A Harrogate Borough Council said the new site had space to develop a second phase in the future, additional space for cremation remains plots, and an area proposed for woodland burials, offering a natural burial ground option.

A rainwater harvesting system has been installed to minimise the impact on the environment and will provide visitors with water through two traditional water pumps.

Cllr McHardy said: “This new cemetery will provide burial space for the residents of Ripon for many years.

"It has been completed to a very high standard and anyone who visits will be pleased to see what has been achieved.

"This cemetery occupies a very peaceful setting for families and friends to pay their respects to their loved ones, and I would like to thank everyone involved in this project for their hard work.”