A New Cemetery for Salisbury

Salisbury City Council
Salisbury City Council | 2018 - 2019 |

Delivering Salisbury's first new cemetery in 160 years

The cemetery was constructed in a six-acre green field site off the Avenue Wilton. The design is organic and simple in nature incorporating many sweeping paths supplemented with extensive planting to create intimate spaces.

Project background

The Avenue Cemetery is the first new cemetery in Salisbury for 160 years and represents a major investment by Salisbury City Council.

The cemetery was constructed in a six-acre green field site off the Avenue Wilton. The design is organic and simple in nature incorporating many sweeping paths supplemented with extensive planting to create intimate spaces. A memorial garden is the ventral focal point, and there is also extensive tree planting to one boundary to introduce a natural element of woodland to the site.

Our role

idverde was initially engaged for Phase 1 only. However, the Council was so pleased with the results of the Phase 1 works that idverde was quickly re-engaged to carry out Phase 2.

idverde carried out extensive works for each Phase:

Phase 1 comprised of:

  • Construction of new on-site car park, site road, paths and hardstanding for a compound.
  • Preparation and cultivation (including stone burial) of the proposed burial areas for grass seeding.
  • Construction of entrance gates, flanking walls and railings.
  • Installation of furniture including seats, cycle racks and signage.
  • Installation of post and rail fencing and gate.
  • Proposed tree, shrub and grass seeding.
  • 12 months defects/maintenance.

Phase 2 comprised of:

  • Central drive and Memorial Garden which includes the shelter
  • Gravel and timber edge footpaths
  • Tree and shrub planting
  • Seats / benches
  • Amenity grass (reinstatement)
  • 12 Months establishment/maintenance

Results

The new burial ground was officially opened on 02 October 2019.

The Mayor of the Council, Cllr John Walsh said: “The Avenue Cemetery is a delightful setting, elegant and understated in a way that will perfectly fit the requirements of the bereaved in the sad circumstances they will inevitably be visiting.”

In 2020 idverde was delighted to receive a British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) National Award for the high standards delivered on this project.