The operators of Delapenha's Funeral Home had been given the clearance by government agencies to proceed with the development of a cemetery at Burnt Ground, Hanover, so that funeral services and burials can be conducted on the premises.

The National Environment and Planning Agency and the Natural Resources Conservation Authority gave the go-ahead on January 22. The go-ahead was given after a two-year dispute in which members of the community, who were backed by special interest groups, had taken steps to block burials at the site.

The residents claimed that the burial site would be harmful to residents of Burnt Ground and its environs and could also affect their water supply.

On November 2 last year, the minister of local government withdrew the stop order which it issued against the funeral home.

A detailed study ordered by the then People's National Party government had allowed for the input from the community and all interested persons. The study established that a cemetery at that location was completely harmless.

However, on Sunday, residents blocked the first burial scheduled for the location, maintaining their concerns about the safety hazard they believe the cemetery presents.