The cemetery is in urgent need of restoration

South Bristol's Arnos Vale Cemetery has been the subject of controversy since its owner revealed he wanted to sell the site for development in 2001.

Bristol City Council issued a compulsory purchase order in October 2002, which was challenged by the cemetery's owner - and is the subject of a judicial review about to be heard at the High Court.

Councillors are expected to back action to take immediate control of the Brislington site should the review be dismissed.

'Peppercorn rent'

The council's cabinet will be asked for approval to take the necessary steps to enable the cemetery to pass into immediate freehold ownership.

Any compensation to the current owners - Bristol General Cemetery Company - would be settled at a later date

If successful, the council has set aside £2m to grant a licence to Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust to run and maintain the cemetery while restoration work is going on.

It is proposed that, once any restoration work is complete, the Trust would be given a 125-year lease of the site at a "peppercorn" rent.

The application by Bristol General Cemetery Company will be heard in early April.