RESDIENTS are being invited to help shape the future of Newent Cemetery's historic buildings as plans move forward to secure their long-term future.

Newent Town Council is preparing a fresh bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) to support the conservation and future use of the cemetery's historic site, including its Grade II-listed Victorian chapel, cemetery lodge and wider heritage landscape.

Earlier this year, the council submitted an expression of interest to the NLHF. While the application was not invited to progress to the next stage, the council said the feedback received was positive and constructive.

The funding body recommended that more work should be carried out to explore suitable future uses for the chapels, consider long-term management arrangements and undertake wider community consultation before a revised bid is submitted.

The Newent Cemetery Chapels Working Group has now begun the next phase of the project by producing an initial discussion paper and developing a range of realistic options that respect the buildings' historic importance while ensuring they continue to serve the community.

Over the coming weeks, residents, community groups and other interested organisations will be invited to complete a questionnaire.

The consultation will seek views on potential future uses for the historic chapels, ideas for the future role of the cemetery lodge and opportunities to enhance the cemetery as a place of heritage, remembrance, learning, biodiversity and quiet reflection.

Feedback gathered through the consultation will help inform a detailed options appraisal and provide evidence to support a revised expression of interest to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, which the council plans to submit in October.

The council stressed that no decisions have yet been made about the future use of either the chapels or the cemetery lodge, with community feedback set to play a key role in shaping the proposals before any final plans are developed.