A leader of the Muslim charity behind plans to build a funeral building and cemetery in Farnham has said his organisation will add value to the community.

In February, the Ismaili Trust’s proposal for the funeral pavilion was approved by the planning inspectorate after an appeal, despite objections from Waverley Borough Council and local residents.

This week, the Herald spoke to Naushad Jivraj, a director of the Ismaili Trust, who sought to allay concerns within Farnham.

While he could not give a timescale for construction, Mr Jivraj said it would begin “reasonably soon.”

“We still need to finalise the details, drawings and designs and go out to contractors, and all of that,” he said.

He added that the Ismaili Trust would “do as much for the community of Farnham as we can”.

While he would not comment on the reasons for opposition to the scheme, he said: “Thank God, the inspectors saw the motives behind what we were trying to do, which was to have a decent funeral ceremony place for our community.”

Among concerns from residents was that the project would increase traffic in the already congested Hale Road area.

“I don’t believe there are any of those issues, I genuinely don’t think these are issues whatsoever,” said Mr Jivraj.

“We will be having funerals three times a week and, on average, 80 to 100 funerals a year. The amount of cars that come to our funerals are 20 to 40 cars, which is neither here nor there. I don’t believe it was an issue to be worried about.”

He reiterated that the community would do all it could to get on with its neighbours.

“As Ismaili Muslims, it’s part of our ethics to work within the communities. We will do whatever we can, within our reason and being a charity, to do what we can,” he said.

“We operate in multiple communities around the UK, not had any issues and are always part of the community, and actually add value to the community, so we look forward to doing that in Farnham.”

The trust proposed building the cemetery pavilion as its current facility near Woking was nearing capacity.

The barn-inspired structure, which has been designed by award-winning architect Niall McLaughlin, can accommodate 181 people but is designed for an average funeral size of around 40.

McLaughlin told Architects' Journal that the Ismaili Trust had “an impressive commitment to high-quality architecture and landscape design.”

“We look forward to continuing our work with the trust to create a special place at the heart of the community for many years to come,” he added.

He said the project aims to create a dignified and beautiful woodland burial site, complete with a funeral pavilion, for the Ismaili community.

McLaughlin’s previous projects include a new library for Magdalene College in Cambridge; a competition-winning design for Jesus College’s new auditorium and forum, also in Cambridge; and the Sultan Nazrin Shah Centre at Worcester College in Oxford.

The aim of the project is to create a dignified and beautiful woodland burial site, complete with a funeral pavilion, for the Ismaili community.

Nestled deep within the site, the pavilion is to be located at the intersection of a new tree-lined access path and a clearing within a woodland. The woodland will emerge through extensive tree-planting, including broad-leaved and fast-growing native species.

The proposed building has been designed to serve both practical and spiritual needs, facilitating the Ismaili funeral rites whilst respecting and enhancing the immediate natural landscape setting.

The pavilion is envisioned as a single-storey barn structure flanked by two low, flat-roofed volumes. The central barn, which contains the main hall, features a glulam timber portal frame that supports a pitched, thatched roof. The roof extends over the entrance, creating a sheltered drop-off area for mourners.

The south-western wing will accommodate spaces for funeral attendees, while the north-eastern wing will house areas for the care of the deceased and other support functions. Natural materials such as timber and thatch, combined with newly planted grasses, shrubs and trees, will help the pavilion blend seamlessly into its woodland setting.

Niall McLaughlin, principal, Niall McLaughlin Architects