A temporary mortuary in Winklebury is to become operational this week after 'significant pressures' in the hospital system.

The facility, which was first announced in September, will support the hospital mortuaries across Hampshire by providing additional capacity to hold bodies.

The site is set up in a former retail unit on Winklebury Way, and is located next to an Aldi superstore and opposite a pub and primary school.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Local Resilience Forum gave the green light to activate the plan to "ease current and anticipated pressures".

It will become operational on Thursday, January 21.

Chief Executive of Hampshire County Council, John Coughlan said: “While our hospitals and funeral sector are currently coping, we are regrettably seeing significant pressures within the system.

"We have therefore decided that it is prudent now to open the temporary mortuary to ensure that we are able to carefully manage and respond to any increase in demand for additional capacity.

“I would like to reassure the families and friends of those who may be accommodated temporarily at this facility that their loved ones will be afforded every possible care, dignity and respect, and that we have been liaising closely with faith leaders to ensure required customs and practices are observed.

"Although next of kin are not able to visit the temporary mortuary, the administrative team on site will provide support and guidance via a dedicated family helpline which is operated by experienced Bereavement Services staff.

"I would like to thank all of the officers concerned for the high professional standards that they have brought to this difficult task.

“We can also reassure residents that the highest standards of discretion and public safety are being maintained at all times on site.

“I am sure we all understand why this step is now necessary. There can be no sadder or stronger reminder of our collective need to follow the rules and keep ourselves and others safe.”

A temporary mortuary was set up and placed on standby during the first wave of the pandemic at Southampton airport. However, it was not needed.

When the plans to use the Winklebury site were first revealed by The Gazette in September, the town's MP, Maria Miller, said that residents "deserve better" than to have a mortuary placed "in the midst of the community", and lodged a formal complaint with Public Health Hampshire.

She told The Gazette: “It is difficult to believe that Public Health Hampshire could be proposing to place a Covid19 mortuary in the heart of a residential community, next door to the local food supermarket and across the street from a local school.

"I have lodged a formal complaint with Public Health Hampshire and asked for them to change their proposed location immediately. There has been no local consultation on the appropriateness of this site or the proposed change of use of a building which was previously used as a retail unit.

“It is not good enough to say the mortuary is only temporary capacity and simply a precaution. Winklebury residents deserve better and do not need the worry that, in the worst case, bodies awaiting burial will be stored in the midst of the community.”

The location of the site was chosen in consultation with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, the NHS, faith leaders, Hampshire Constabulary and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service.