Jim Campbell had asked for permission to be allowed to erect the monument at his £600,000 property in Bothwell, Lanarkshire.

The 68-year-old wants the tomb, which will house corpses in lead lined caskets, built in a corner of his 2.7 acre garden overlooking the River Clyde.

The unusual project, reminiscent of the Taj Mahal, was submitted to South Lanarkshire Council and will be the final resting place for Mr Campbell and other members of his family.

As part of the application, Mr Campbell also asked for permission to build a multi-car garage and a boathouse to the rear of his home which he shares with wife Sheila.

Mr Campbell told how he was making plans for the future and said he was glad his plans had been given the green light after no neighbours objected.

He said: “There is nothing more certain than death and taxes so I am just planning ahead.

“I would ask others if they have made plans for what happens to their bodies when they die.

“I don’t think it’s fair to leave the decision to family members when they are grieving so I have put my own plans in place.

“The mausoleum is for me and the rest of the family.

“If someone comes along and buys the house and wants to bulldoze it in 50 years time then so be it. It’s not going to matter to me then.”

He added: “I visited a cemetery in the south of France during a holiday a few years ago and that got me thinking about it more.

“Some of the burial plots were above ground and I thought that was a good idea.”

In a written report approving his application, council planning officers said: “With regards to the mausoleum the proposed building will be cut into the slope.

“The applicant has advised that this building would accommodate a maximum of six bodies in lead lined caskets.

“In this case and acknowledging the relatively unusual nature of a mausoleum, it is considered that the proposed uses of the buildings are acceptable within a general residential area.”

New laws passed by the Scottish Parliament earlier this year require anyone who wishes to have a burial at home or on private family ground to submit an application to their local council which must be approved before the burial takes place.

However, Mr Campbell’s plans are not covered by the new legislation as the bodies in the mausoleum will sit above ground.