Chelmsford is looking to spend almost £2m for a new city cemetery after admitting its main burial site will be full in seven years.

The space for all burials at Writtle Road is estimated to be at full capacity by 2026.

Chelmsford City Council says it is looking to spend £1.8m on a new cemetery and crematorium that the council says will increase its revenue.

The Chelmsford Cemetery and Crematorium, which has been in operation since 1887, has two chapels – the South Chapel offering 108 seats and the North Chapel seating up to 26 guests.

A statement prepared for the cabinet meeting tomorrow said: “Chelmsford City Council is the cremation and burial authority and requires a replacement for its crematorium and further burial space which cannot be accommodated on the current site.

“A further bid will be submitted for the infrastructure which will be associated with the provision of this facility.

“The provision of a cemetery is a statutory obligation.

“The acquisition of the land will enable the council to provide a future facility to continue to undertake cremations and burials.

“It is hoped that the new facility will increase the number of cremations from 2,200 to 2,400 per annum and burials from 41 to 50 per annum by 2028. This will generate additional income.

“If land is not acquired there may be a failure to provide future burial and cremation facilities.

“It is also requested that delegated authority is given to the director of financial services, after consultation with the leader and cabinet member for finance, to source and acquire an appropriate piece of land with the approved budget.”