A new natural burial ground could be created on grassland opposite Sene Valley Golf Club in Hythe.
Funeral director Holly Lyon-Hawk, of Gentle Endings, has applied to develop the five-acre site off Blackhouse Hill into a cemetery for both people and pets, complete with a hearse track and small car park.
The plan describes a “nature-connected alternative to traditional cemeteries,” where biodegradable coffins are used and embalming is avoided. The site, surrounded by open countryside, would feature a wildflower meadow, a 16-space car park with overflow for 10 more vehicles, and a 30-metre-long hearse track.
Ms Lyon-Hawk said the aim is to create a “peaceful, ecologically restorative resting place” supported by local families, Hythe Town Council, and the golf club.
Graves would be hand-dug to 3ft 6in in line with Association of Natural Burial Grounds guidelines, and manually backfilled to protect wildlife. Up to three burials a week are expected, with 15–35 mourners per service.
A nearby public footpath would remain open. Headstones would be replaced by native trees, grasses, and wildflowers, helping the site evolve into a small nature reserve.
Ms Lyon-Hawk previously proposed a similar scheme for Egerton, near Ashford, which has drawn mixed local reaction. A decision on that application is still pending.
Reported on Kent Online August 2025
