RESIDENTS have reacted to plans for a new crematorium to serve Maldon, and developers say they've "given their backing".

The reactions to the plans come after an exhibition in Woodham Mortimer Village Hall on Tuesday and Wednesday (October 12-13).

Results of a survey carried out for developer Elegy indicate more than nine out of ten residents, 91 per cent, believe there to be a need for a new crematorium to serve the Maldon district.

Bereaved families in the Maldon area would no longer need to hold funerals at the congested Chelmsford crematorium or make long drives for funerals further afield in Basildon and Colchester.

Of those who expressed their views, 86 per cent supported the design of the crematorium.

The new crematorium would seat 100 people and hold just 4 funerals per day.

Read more: Plans unveiled for new crematorium to serve families from Maldon

Elegy hope this will enable better spacing between funeral services and a less rushed experience for grieving families.

A minimum of an hour will be allowed for each service along with "state of the art facilities" allowing each family to have a funeral of their choice.

Expressing her support for the new development, resident Penelope McEvoy said: “I like the idea that the new crematorium will be close to St Margaret’s Church and hopefully we can work together.”

The crematorium would be built in a secluded spot set down close to woodland off the A414 Maldon Road near to Woodham Mortimer.

The biggest concern for those attending the event was the speed of traffic and overtaking along Maldon Road at present.

Elegy said with the new crematorium would come a new junction and pedestrian crossing with a refuge island, which it says "should calm that section of road and reduce the potential for overtaking".

Director Richard Evans said: "We were pleased to see local residents welcoming this new development which will relieve the pressure on Chelmsford crematorium and provide a much more tranquil place, closer to home."