The owners of a new pet crematorium have defied councillors who previously refused their bid to open. 

Plans for the Seaham facility were refused by members of Durham County Council’s planning committee last December over concerns of noise, emissions, odour and the site being too close to residential properties.

Applicant Sue Howes had proposed to convert an industrial unit on a Seaham industrial estate into the new facility while also erecting an external 10.7-metre chimney for the cremator.

The local family-run businesses, she said, would provide a “personal, sensitive and environmentally friendly” service for deceased pets in Seaham Grange Industrial Estate. 

Read more: Pet crematorium plans rejected as County Durham locals fear for their health

Yet, despite the local authority’s planning team recommending approval, and Ms Howes saying the chimney would be smokeless, odourless and wouldn’t affect humans or nearby wildlife, councillors rejected the proposal in December 2022.  

Among the concerns from councillors was that the area already had a pungent smell of garlic, due to nearby food production facilities, and would be detrimental for residents.

But after several months of appealing and resubmitting the proposal through the Planning Inspectorate the business has now opened. 

The Northern Echo: An industrial unit on a Seaham industrial estate was converted into the new facility, while an external 10.7 metre chimney for the cremator was also erected An industrial unit on a Seaham industrial estate was converted into the new facility, while an external 10.7 metre chimney for the cremator was also erected (Image: Google)

“We’ve jumped through so many hoops and have had lots of tests to ensure we’re doing it properly,” said Sue. 

“We’ve gone from an empty unit and now got it to a good standard, and opened a fortnight ago. We’ve got overwhelming public support already. 

“We fought hard and it was worth committing ourselves and fighting the system to be where we are today."

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Working with her colleagues John and Ruth, Sue says they ensured the facility is as sensitive to the local area as possible, despite the concerns previously raised.

By using the tagline ‘Pets at Peace’, they are building on their own experiences of owning pets to help support people post-death. 

Ruth added: “We’ve always had care for the community. Right from the start we were making sure we used the right machines to not cause any disruption. We’ve gone over and above what was necessary."

Click here for more details about the Seaham Pet Crematorium.