Climate change impact assessment
The purpose of this assessment is to help us understand the likely impacts of our decisions on the environment of North Yorkshire and on our aspiration to achieve net carbon neutrality by 2030, or as close to that date as possible. The intention is to mitigate negative effects and identify projects which will have positive effects.
This document should be completed in consultation with the supporting guidance. The final document will be published as part of the decision making process and should be written in Plain English.
If you have any additional queries which are not covered by the guidance please email climatechange@northyorks.gov.uk
Version 2: amended 11 August 2021
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Title of proposal |
Woodlands Crematorium cremator replacement project |
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Brief description of proposal |
Replacement of 2 existing gas cremators at Woodlands Crematorium in Scarborough with modern like for like ones. The existing ones are past their useful life, being 22 years old and new ones are needed to ensure the long-term continuation of the crematorium.
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Directorate |
Environment |
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Service area |
Bereavement |
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Lead officer |
Jonathan Bramley |
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Names and roles of other people involved in carrying out the impact assessment |
N/A |
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Date impact assessment started |
19 June 2026 |
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Options appraisal Were any other options considered in trying to achieve the aim of this project? If so, please give brief details and explain why alternative options were not progressed.
Woodlands Crematorium cremator replacement:
Property Services and Bereavement Service submitted an appraisal using a scoring matrix with the project proposal for capital board approval. The appraisal assessed the following criteria: Desirability, Feasibility, and Viability. The options considered were like-for-like modern gas cremators, electric and hybrid cremators and a “do nothing” option – remain operating with the existing gas ones. The assessment recommended gas as the preferred solution for the cremator replacement.
A summary of the reasons for opting for like-for-like modern gas cremators were as follows:
· Due to the existing building design, replacement cremators and associated plant equipment will follow a ‘like-for-like’ installation strategy, (gas burners) located within the current technical areas of the crematorium.
The do-nothing option - Defer all proposed works and keep the existing gas cremators would lead to increased risk of cremator failure and continued repair costs. Ultimately, the cremators would cease to operate, leading to the closure of Woodlands Crematorium.
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What impact will this proposal have on council budgets? Will it be cost neutral, have increased cost or reduce costs?
Please explain briefly why this will be the result, detailing estimated savings or costs where this is possible.
The capital costs of delivering this project is as follows:
Woodlands Crematorium cremator replacement: £2.5million.
The above costs will be recouped over time through income generated from cremation fees at Woodlands Crematorium. The average annual income generated from cremation fees at Woodlands is approximately £1million. It is estimated that the annual costs of running these cremators is £200k, so the Council has an approximate surplus of £800k per year. Furthermore, replacement of the existing gas cremators, which were installed in 2004, with modern ones should lead to gas consumption reduction of up to 25%, leading to lower gas bills. |
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How will this proposal impact on the environment?
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Positive impact (Place a X in the box below where relevant) |
No impact (Place a X in the box below where relevant) |
Negative impact (Place a X in the box below where relevant) |
Explain why will it have this effect and over what timescale?
Where possible/relevant please include: · Changes over and above business as usual · Evidence or measurement of effect · Figures for CO2e · Links to relevant documents |
Explain how you plan to mitigate any negative impacts.
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Explain how you plan to improve any positive outcomes as far as possible. |
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Minimise greenhouse gas emissions e.g. reducing emissions from travel, increasing energy efficiencies etc.
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Emissions from travel |
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n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
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Emissions from construction |
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x |
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Cremator replacement project: It is intended to carry out the construction phase when demand for cremation services is at its lowest, i.e. during the summer months. The approach will be to build the new cremators on-site and replace one cremator while operating the other existing cremator. Then when the 1st new cremator is fully installed and operational, to use it, while the 2nd existing cremator is replaced. Emissions therefore from construction should be minimal
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n/a |
n/a |
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Emissions from running of buildings |
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x
x |
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Cremator replacement project: The operation of a crematorium requires a permit under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to minimise emissions of pollutants int the environment. The installation, commissioning and operation of new cremators will need to fully comply with strict permit conditions. The impact from replacing with modern like-for like gas cremators should therefore have no impact on emissions from running the crematorium. |
n/a
n/a |
n/a
n/a |
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Emissions from data storage |
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x |
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Cremator replacement project: no additional impact anticipated using data storage from existing cremators compared to more modern versions. |
n/a
n/a |
n/a
n/a |
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Other |
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n/a |
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Minimise waste: Reduce, reuse, recycle and compost e.g. reducing use of single use plastic |
x |
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Cremator replacement project: We will continue to recycle metal material recovered from cremated remains. The new gas cremators will be connected, via a heat exchange system, to the gas boilers servicing Woodlands Chapel to provide all its heating requirements. |
n/a |
n/a |
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Reduce water consumption |
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x |
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There will be no increased impact from water consumptions. The project aims to continue existing crematorium services provided to the local communities over the long-term future. |
n/a |
n/a |
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Minimise pollution (including air, land, water, light and noise)
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x |
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Cremator replacement project: All Crematoria must meet strict permitting requirements under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 before they can operate. Meeting permit conditions ensures our crematorium will minimise the impact of emissions from their cremations into the environment. |
n/a
n/a |
n/a
n/a |
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Ensure resilience to the effects of climate change e.g. reducing flood risk, mitigating effects of drier, hotter summers |
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x |
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Cremator replacement project: see comments above.
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n/a |
n/a |
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Enhance conservation and wildlife
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x |
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N/A |
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Safeguard the distinctive characteristics, features and special qualities of North Yorkshire’s landscape
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x |
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n/a – for the Cremator replacement project.
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n/a
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n/a |
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Other (please state below)
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N/a |
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Are there any recognised good practice environmental standards in relation to this proposal? If so, please detail how this proposal meets those standards. |
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See comments relating to permitting requirements for all crematoria in the table above in relation to minimising emissions from their operations into the environment.
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Summary Summarise the findings of your impact assessment, including impacts, the recommendation in relation to addressing impacts, including any legal advice, and next steps. This summary should be used as part of the report to the decision maker.
As the table above shows this proposed capital project influence on climate change is assessed as having generally “no impact”. Installing modern cremators with improved energy performance should lead to 25% reduced gas consumption compared to the existing ones which will significantly reduce carbon emissions, supporting the Council’s Net Zero 2030 target.
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Sign off section
This climate change impact assessment was completed by:
Authorised by relevant Assistant Director (signature): Callum McKeon
Date: 06/07/2026
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