CONSTRUCTION work has started on a new burial ground near Chester. Landowner Barnston Estate is creating Monument Meadow to replace the burial ground at St Chad’s in Farndon. The natural burial ground will also be made available for residents of surrounding villages. More than 900 tonnes of top soil have been dug out of the field and spread and 600 tonnes of hardcore have been added and levelled. Work on the car park surfacing will be completed by the end of January and an oak timber framed pavilion will be constructed in February along with landscaped footpaths. The natural burial ground is due to open on April 4.