03/06/2026
A local charity has defended plans to convert Kingston Cemetery Lodge back into housing after local residents said they were “disgusted” by the proposal.
Jayne Nancarrow, of Pam’s Artistic Florist on New Road, has launched a petition opposing plans for two homes at the former Kingston Cemetery Lodge.
The proposal would see The Lodge, at the southern entrance to the Grade II-listed cemetery on St Mary’s Road, converted from a lodge into a pair of semi-detached homes.
The Lodge forms part of the cemetery complex designed by architect George Rake, which opened in January 1856. The cemetery was granted listed status in November 2003.
Ms Nancarrow, who owns the nearby florist, has objected to the plans, claiming that “every customer I’ve mentioned it to is disgusted by it”.
“It’s sacred ground to people that have lost someone, my whole family is there – I just don’t think it’s right.”
She said she had no issue with previous uses of the property when it housed cemetery staff and their families, as the occupants had a “responsibility” to the site.
However, she raised concerns over whether private residents would consistently lock the nearby gate each night to prevent trespassers, and questioned whether the property could be used to host parties while visitors were paying their respects in the cemetery.
Instead, she suggested the building could be converted into a café with public toilets – the nearest public conveniences are located along the southern boundary of Kingston Park.
The petition can be signed physically by visiting the florist on 257 New Road.
The application was submitted by Portsmouth Community Housing Trust, a small local charity “committed to bringing properties back into use, for families in need of a home”.
Responding to concerns, a PCHT board member Andrew Mason said: “The St Mary’s Cemetery Lodge was originally built for occupation by cemetery staff and their families, but it has been unoccupied now for many years, as cemetery managers no longer live on site.
“We are very aware of the sensitivities involved in developing a proposal to bring the Cemetery Lodge back into use. As the building is on the edge of the cemetery, we are confident that this can be done with very little impact on the cemetery itself.
“We realise that many families may not want to live next to a cemetery, but we believe there are many others in housing need who would be pleased to accept this.
“We hope that renovating this property and bringing it back into use will help improve the appearance and general environment at the St Mary’s Road entrance to the cemetery, as well as making a small contribution to tackling housing need in Portsmouth.”
Residents can view and comment on the application on the council’s planning portal using the reference 26/00018/FUL.
✍Original copy by Toby Paine, Local Democracy Reporter
