A FAMILY feel “betrayed” by a Caldicot church after a cesspool was built within inches of a loved one’s grave – without telling them.

Maureen Ball, 78, claims that her religious beliefs have been “shattered” after discovering the vacuum-sealed tank next to the grave of her husband, Gordon.

The cesspool had been built to accommodate a new toilet built on the side of St Mary’s Church.

According to Mrs Ball, the work had actually started in January but it took a chance visit in March for the great-grandmother to realise what had taken place.

Those with responsibility over the church have reportedly since apologised and stated they have followed 'strict guidelines' while installing the cesspool 'to ensure the integrity of the church yard.'

However, the family feel the damage has already been done.

Mrs Ball, of Chepstow Road, said: “I’ve struggled with this as for me everything within the churchyard is sacrosanct, and they’ve ruined that.

“My faith in the church is absolutely destroyed, and they wouldn’t even speak to us.

“Having put flowers on my husband’s grave for Father’s Day, it’s very unpleasant to think it will be right next to this pit. It makes me feel like that’s what the church think he’s worth.”

In late March, Mrs Ball’s son John raised fears with the Diocese of Monmouth that the grave of the late Mr Ball had been “interfered” during the installation process.

The 52-year-old, who has been a gravedigger for more than 30 years, told the Free Press that “there was no way” that due procedure was followed without disturbing the grave.

“It seems as if they’ve gone for the easiest options when I put forward at least two other potential areas to have the cesspool,” he said.

“I’ve even volunteered to do the work myself as long as they provide the materials.”

He added: “My mother has been through hell and there’s been a total lack of respect to her situation.”

Mrs Ball’s granddaughter Georgina, who had affectionately called her grandfather “Grampy Minty Pocket”, added: “What this has done to my nan and dad is heart-breaking.

“We have been treated so badly there is no respect for us in what they done to not just my nan and dad, but to my grandfather who we thought had been laid to rest.”

Despite first emailing the diocese three months ago, the Balls sat down with the St Mary’s Church wardens, registrar and the contractor last Friday.

Father Richard Reardon-Terrado and the parish church council (PCC) told the Free Press that it had taken several years for a "much-needed" toilet to be installed at the church to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA).

“The toilet is kept locked until needed and the ‘cesspool’ is a vacuum sealed tank with a monitored alarm," he said.

"In the implementation of this plan, the Church went over and above the necessary requirements for installation of the ‘cesspool’ so as to ensure the integrity of the church yard.

"Owing to the confines of the church yard, he Church has worked hard to try to accommodate all those affected and hopes understanding can be reached.”