A cemetery extension is to be built on a ‘secret garden’ which is the only local green space in the area.

An additional 1376 burial plots will be added to the Henley Road cemetery and crematorium in Caversham.

Residents said that they use the area and it would be a loss of open space. However, recreational use of the land was only ever granted temporarily by the council until it was needed for cemetery space.

Councillor Tony Page, lead member for Strategic Environment and Planning, said the cemetery counts as open space.

Local ward councillor Simon Robinson added: "Whilst I appreciate feelings about the land, I must agree that it should go back to being a cemetery.”

The Reading Borough Council (RBC) planning applications committee approved the change of use on November 7.

Councillor Chris Maskell, chair of the committee, asked for confirmation that the landscape would be maintained, so that it could be used by the public.

Officer Matt Burns confirmed that the conditions will include a requirement to replace any plants that die within a five-year period.

Councillor Josh Williams added: “My concern is that it will be a short-lived project as it will be potentially out of room within 10 years.”