Kate Osamor MP
I have been concerned for many years about the state of the Tottenham Park Cemetery, and the distress its disrepair has caused to my constituents. Below is the text from my letter to the Secretary of State for Justice on the news that the Ministry of Justice has appointed an inspector to investigate residents’ concerns.
The Rt Hon David Gauke MP
Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
Ministry of Justice
102 Petty France
London
SW1H 9AJ
11 December 2018
Dear David,
Tottenham Park Cemetery, Montague Road, Edmonton, N9 OEU
I write on behalf of worried residents regarding their continued concerns about the Turkish/Muslim cemetery in Tottenham Park, Montagu Road, Edmonton, a private burial ground that I understand has been used borough wide by Enfield residents and beyond for some 30+ years.
I have been closely liaising with Enfield Council over the past year to resolve the outstanding issues, however, I have been informed that they can only take limited enforcement action against the owners of the cemetery due to jurisdictional issues and that it is a matter for the Ministry of Justice to address the ongoing concerns with the maintenance and management of the cemetery.
My office forwarded a letter from the Leader of the Council, Nesil Caliskan, dated 18th June 2018 (enclosed) in which she detailed the concerns about the condition, practices and management of the privately owned and operated cemetery, which include:
- Suspected illegal exhumations of human remains to make space for new burials
- The graves are placed very close together, often encroaching on each other using all
available space (which is very limited) - Concerns that the cemetery is full, yet burials continue
- Very poor maintenance generally and health and safety concerns – overgrown weeds,
uneven headstones, fallen/poorly maintained trees - Narrow and uneven paths – difficulty in accessing the graves
- Presence of Japanese Knotweed on the site
The situation at the cemetery has understandably caused significant distress to those who have loved ones buried there who feel that they are not treated with the respect and dignity they rightfully deserve. I, too, share their sentiments.
I now understand that the Ministry of Justice has exercised its power under s8 of the Burial Act 1855 and has appointed an inspector to investigate the residents’ concerns.
I would be grateful if you could keep me updated on any progress of the investigations and would appreciate it if you could also clarify the manner in which they will be conducted, when they are likely to be concluded and what action will be taken if there is clear evidence of any wrongdoing.
Kind regards,
KATE OSAMOR MP
Member of Parliament for Edmonton