Update on £633k plans for pet crematorium at Carleton and site upgrade

An update on plans to create a pet crematorium at Carleton is to be given by Blackpool Council after a question was asked about it at a public meeting.

In January the council agreed to press ahead with the plans at Carelton Crematorium which will mean that once the work is complete, bereaved owners will be able to stay local if they want to give their beloved pets a good send-off.

The council, which oversees the crematorium, agreed on the move six months ago as part of an overall £633,000 project which includes a new yard, as the current facilities are deemed not fit for purpose.

At Blackpool Council’s Full Council meeting on Wednesday, Cllr Julie Sloman asked what was happening with the scheme.

The Norbreck councillor said: “In January 2026 we proudly said that we are committing £633,000 of Prudential Borrowing to have a new pet crematorium at Carleton.

“Can I ask if that project has started and if it hasn’t, when’s it going to start and when will it be completed?”

Cllr Jane Hugo, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, responded that she would find out what the latest situation was and provide an update.

She said: “The pet cemetery was really popular with people when they heard this was in the plans.

“Also, importantly, that whole area needed refurbishing, so practically that work needs to be done as well, so I’ll get an update and get that out to everyone.”

Councillors on the authority’s Executive Committee ratified the move on January 19 after considering a detailed report on the overall proposals.

The report stated that the nearest pet crematorium was a 30 minute drive away, meaning that it was likely there would be a good take-up of a pet crematorium across the whole of the Fylde coast.

Chairing that meeting in January , Cllr Lynn Williams, leader of Blackpool Council, said: “There has been some positive feedback about the pet crematorium already.

“I imagine there will be a big take-up of people wanting to send their pets off there.”

A report to the committee stated that the total cost of £633,000 would be funded through Prudential Borrowing.

Prudential Borrowing is a framework that allows local authorities to borrow money to fund capital projects, such as building schools or leisure centres, without needing central government approval.

The report said: “The current yard facilities and provision are not fit for purpose for either the grounds maintenance team in relation to welfare or supporting delivery of their core function or storage of vehicles and associated equipment or security of the premises.

“The area contains ageing storage containers that are life-expired and not fully watertight, impacting on machinery and associated equipment, with welfare facilities that are obsolete.”

It added: “The pet industry is growing quickly as grieving animal lovers go to greater lengths to celebrate the life of their beloved pet.

“It is estimated that at least half of animal owners hold a funeral for their pet, and with no other pet crematoriums in the local area, the nearest being over a 30-minute drive away, it is envisaged the service and the facility will be very well received and popular