A bid to replace the sale of memorial benches in Maldon district parks with a leasing scheme has been approved.

Residents previously bought benches for parks and open spaces owned by Maldon District Council in tribute to loved ones, but officers recommended this be stopped due to issues including high demand, waiting times and cost.

The district council's strategy and resources committee had delayed its decision on the scheme from early January to allow for consultation with the Friends' groups who maintain the district's cemeteries.

Debbie Horney, cemeteries and bereavement services senior coordinator, told members the "main difference" from the original plans is that the plaques will be leased for 10 years rather than five years, with an option to renew for additional periods.

The new scheme will also not apply to any benches already purchased by families.

Each bench would have space for three plaques, which would cost £600 each to lease and £500 to renew for an additional 10-year period or £300 for an extra five-year period.

It previously cost £1,200 to buy a bench.

Ms Horney said the new scheme was necessary as the council has "waiting lists for people where we're unable to put a bench in".

But councillors also spoke of being "uncomfortable" with the decision.

Councillor Kevin Lagan said: "I think when someone's bereaved and they want to have a memorial to the somebody who they've loved, they want to sit in a quiet place with them and contemplate that person.

"You walk past some of the benches and they've got bunches of flowers on them - those memories to that individual person are very, very special."

He continued: "I'm a fan of giving solitude to a single place"

He added: "It sits very uncomfortably with me and I can't support it."

Councillor Stephen Nunn called the plaques "a historical record", adding: "It concerns me a bit, really, that this is almost suggesting that after 10 years we can kind of move on with the bereaved, and what happens with these plaques?"

He said: "The most important people here are the bereaved, and we shouldn't underestimate the sensitivity of this."

Ms Horney said families who no longer wish to lease their loved ones' plaque on a bench after the 10-year period would be consulted, adding: "They are a lasting memory and we wouldn't want to take that away."

She said: "They would have the right to have it returned to them but, alternatively, we have the memorial wall in Maldon Cemetery, we have the chapel wall in Heybridge Cemetery and the pergola in Burnham-on-Crouch Cemetery.

"There's also talk of memorial areas in Promenade Park, so we would be looking to keep the plaques."

Richard Holmes, director of service delivery and head of paid service, added: "If we start having exclusive benches again with one plaque on, even if it's a premium rate, it won't help us with our demand."

Ms Horney told members that officers have "some fantastic ideas that we want to introduce into the cemeteries" alongside the new leasing scheme - including memorial trees, designated scattering areas, a memorial path and columbariums.

"I will certainly be looking forward to coming back to speak to you all about some of the great initiatives," she said, "to have as many options available to our residents as we possibly can".

Councillors approved the plans, although Councillor Lagan recorded that he was not in agreement.

An improved and centrally-recorded inspection programme for all benches on land owned by the council is also set to be created by March, with a supporting database.

Any benches which have fallen into disrepair will be removed and the new arrangements will apply to any replacements.

A yearly inspection will take place during the spring each year.

The new scheme will come into place from 1 April.