NORTH Ayrshire Council have provided an update on the various cemeteries across the region.

The information has been provided ahead of a meeting of the council's cabinet which is to take place on Tuesday, June 4.

At this meeting, cabinet members will be asked to note, and agree, various actions which are being brought to them with regards to local burial grounds.

The report on cemeteries is the first to be brought before the council since 2016, with significant progress made in the eight years since then.

During that time, extensions have been delivered at Knadgerhill (Irvine), High Road (Stevenston), Dalry, West Kilbride and Kilbride (Lamlash) cemeteries.

In addition to this, various works have been carried out in cemeteries across the county.

A new burial place has also been created at Redston in Kilwinning which opened in August last year.

However, cabinet are being asked to note a number of recommendations which are being made for various areas where cemeteries currently have a capacity less than ten years.

The only areas with no capacity concerns at present are Irvine and Kilwinning. In the Garnock Valley, Kilbirnie has an estimated capacity of only a further one or two years.

The council reports says that significant effort has been made to identify suitable land for a burial ground in Kilbirnie, which has proved difficult due to Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) legislation and areas prone to flooding.

However, land has now been identified at the site of the former Garnock Academy (Moorpark) for a new cemetery.

Discussions are ongoing with SEPA to confirm the suitability of the site and the cabinet are being asked to note the progression of this.

Should this go ahead as planned, £1,502,000 has been allocated for the first phase of this development which would provide a further 12 years capacity for Kilbirnie with the option for further extension in later years.

Dalry cemetery has an estimated six years capacity. Cabinet are being asked to note that there is an area of land within Dalry Old Cemetery that may be suitable for burials, and this is being investigated, subject to budget being made available for this extension.

In the Three Towns, Ardrossan has an estimated five years capacity remaining and council cabinet are being asked to note that a search is currently underway for a potential new site.

In the interim, options are being explored within the current site to extend capacity by removing paths and shrubs. This could increase the capacity and negate the need for a new cemetery in the short term.

At Stevenston High Road, it was planned to extend capacity for 10 years, however, council say that due to tender cost increases this was reduced to six years capacity.

With suitable land owned by the council available to extend further, it is hoped this can be the case subject to budget being made available.

In the North Coast, Brisbane Glen in Largs is the only burial ground with capacity concerns, with an estimated five years remaining.

However, cabinet are being asked to note that it is proposed to develop the ground to the rear of the site which is owned by the council and has planning permission approved.

This is a relatively low-cost solution and will be funded from the cemeteries extensions, walls and infrastructure holding fund.

The final capacity concern comes from the Isle of Arran where Sannox has an estimated five years remaining.

Cabinet are being asked to note that it has not been possible to identify a suitable site for extension or construction of a new cemetery for the area.

As there are five other cemeteries on the island with a capacity of 10 years or more, it is being recommended that alternative cemeteries on Arran are used when Sannox cemetery is full - of the family's choosing.