This cemetery was built in 1837, at a time when many city centre graveyards were becoming overcrowded. The Local Authorities' Cemeteries Order 1977 allowed for the public to purchase burial rights for a grave for 100 years. This period has recently been reduced and there is a call for some cemeteries that are running out of space to carry out the 'lift and deepen method' for graves where the rights have expired, in order to make more room.