The chancellor considered two related petitions, one involving the exhumation of human remains and the subsequent use of part of Trinity Burial Ground, Hull (a disused burial ground), for a road-widening scheme, and another for the subsequent reinstatement of the burial ground. It was proposed that, of the 19,000 interments that would be disturbed, a sample of 1,500 skeletons would be taken temporarily for scientific analysis before being re-interred in another part of the burial ground by March 2020. That analysis would include identifying sex, age and stature and the recording of paleo-pathological information in order to learn about the health of the community and to gain an understanding of the origins of its members. A letter of objection was received from a descendant of two persons who had died in the first half of the nineteenth century and whose remains were interred in the burial ground. The objector had the presumption against the secular use of consecrated land and the presumption against the exhumation of human remains in her favour. Nevertheless, the proposed highway works would result in significant public benefit and were supported by the incumbent and Parochial Church Council. The additional public benefit resulting from the analysis and examination of the burials that would be uncovered as part of the works, while they would probably not justify the proposals in themselves, should also be put into the balance. That balance clearly came down in favour of permitting the road-widening scheme to take in part of the burial ground, with the necessary exhumation and re-interment of remains. The proposals relating to the subsequent reinstatement of the burial ground were uncontroversial. Faculties were granted in respect of both petitions. [Alexander McGregor]