More than 300 graves could be cleared to make way for new burials.

Brent Council plans to remove 349 graves in Willesden New Cemetery, in Franklyn Road, if they are not claimed.

Even if they are claimed, they may still be cleared, with compensation available for the person or family affected.

The proposals were revealed on the Public Notice Portal.

Under The Greater London Council Act 1976, the council can cancel any exclusive rights to specific graves to allow the space above previous burials and unused graves to reused for new burials.

The threatened plots have either not been used for burial for 75 years or more, or it has been 75 years since ownership was transferred, or the grave was bought but not used for a burial.

From February 4 next year the process of removing tombstones and memorials will begin.

Where there is a memorial on any of these graves, it remains the property of the registered owner of the exclusive rights.

However, any memorial not claimed and removed by the registered owner before May 4, 2025 will be thrown away.

The registered owner of the rights, or anyone with provable ownership, can object.

But even if the objection is not withdrawn, the council can end the rights.

Others who have more than one grave can object and if their objections are explained and not retracted, the council will need permission from the Secretary of State to dispose of them.

Compensation will be given to owners for the value of their terminated rights if made within six months of those rights ending.

The level of compensation will be between the council and the claimant or, lacking agreement, determined through arbitration.

People can contact Brent Council to find out if they are affected.

Any registered owner of the graves listed or a relative of anyone buried
in one of these graves, or know the whereabouts of the family concerned, should contact Brent Council, Cemeteries Department, Mezzanine Floor, Brent Civic Centre, Engineers Way, Wembley, Middlesex, HA9 0FJ.

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