Two young sappers were given the task of planting a commemorative sapling in Ripon’s Spa Park this week.

Next year marks the 75th anniversary of the award of Freedom of the City to the Royal Engineers, who provide military engineering support to the British Armed Forces and have had a base in Ripon for decades.

Ahead of the 2024 events to celebrate this military milestone, sappers Megan Smith and Scott Nield, both aged 23, planted the Zelkova serrata — a relative of the Elm, which is native of Japan.

The tree, provided by North Yorkshire Council parks department, can grow up to 17 metres tall, and was selected because it is a hardy variety with autumn leaves of vivid colours from red through to bronze.

Royal Engineers on last year’s Freedom March.

The sappers were joined by the Mayor and Mayoress of Ripon, Councillor Sid Hawke and his wife Linda, along with fellow Royal Engineers from Claro Barracks and members of the Ripon branch of the Royal Engineers Association

Lt Col Perry Bishop, commanding officer at the barracks, where members of 21 Engineer Regiment are stationed, told the Stray Ferret:

“In a few years, with the redevelopment of the barracks site for housing, we will end our long association with Ripon, where we have enjoyed Freedom of the City since 1949.

“The tree provides a living legacy and reminder of the Royal Engineers’ time here, both in peacetime and when the country was at war.”

Ripon Cathedral has expressed surprise that the city council discussed and voted on its proposed £6 million annex on Monday night.

Ripon City Council members voted 4-3, with one abstention, to withdraw support for the Minster Gardens scheme.

North Yorkshire Council will decide whether the scheme can go ahead but the city council’s opposition is a blow to the plans.

In a brief statement, a cathedral spokesperson, said:

“The cathedral was surprised to learn that the subject of its planning application was discussed and voted on at the council meeting as there had been no communication with the cathedral in advance.

“We would simply point people to the helpful information about our aspirations included by the Stray Ferret in its earlier report.”

The spokesperson added:

“The exact location of the annex building and the increased public green space can be viewed in a display within the cathedral. We are happy to discuss the plans with members of the public who would like to get in touch with us.”

The Dean of Ripon the Very Revd John Dobson

The cathedral has been attempting for many years to find a way of providing 21st century facilities to meet the needs of churchgoers, choristers, visitors, clergy, support staff and volunteers.

The proposed annex would include a song school, refectory, shop,  accessible toilets and extra storage space, housed in a two-storey, standalone building on Minster Gardens – a public open space currently owned by North Yorkshire Council.

The plans have divided opinion in Ripon. At Monday night’s council meeting 10 opponents of the scheme raised concerns about the loss of 11 trees on Minster Gardens, including a veteran beech, while others spoke about the impact of an 80-seat refectory competing against nearby hospitality businesses in Kirkgate and other parts of the city.

No supporters of the development spoke at the meeting but many believe the urgent needs of the cathedral must be met to secure the ancient building’s future by putting it on a sustainable financial footing.

Last December, following a pre-application presentation of the cathedral’s plans to the city council, members voted to support the ‘general principle’ of development. But this week’s vote saw the council change its stance.

Councillors Andrew Williams and Barbara Brodigan, who sit on the North Yorkshire Council Skipton and Ripon constituency planning committee, which will ultimately determine the application, absented themselves from the city council meeting and did not take part in the debate or vote on the annex plan.

On Monday, Councillor Peter Horton put forward a motion that said:

“Ripon City Council remains committed to supporting Ripon Cathedral meet its general aspirations which are set out in the planning application, we do however express our concern over the statement made by the applicant’s agents that the refectory will stop the drift away of visitors to the Cathedral to nearby cafes and restaurants.

“Recognising the protected status of the veteran beech tree we can’t support any proposals to remove it and call for an assessment as to whether the proposed building can be built without doing so.”

That motion was defeated 4-3 with one abstention and when a motion to withdraw the council’s support and object to the planning application was proposed by former mayor Cllr Eamon Parkin and seconded by Cllr Jackie Crozier, it was carried 4-3 with one abstention.

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Ripon Cathedral’s plans for a £6 million annex on public open space to the north of the ancient grade I listed building have suffered a significant setback.

The city council, which a year ago voted to ‘support the general principle’ of the proposed development featuring a song school, refectory, shop, toilets and storage space, last night reversed that decision with a 4-3 vote against the scheme.

The ‘no’ vote, proposed by former Mayor of Ripon Councillor Eamon Parkin and seconded by Cllr Jackie Crozier, came at a full council meeting at which 10 members of the public voiced objections to the cathedral’s plans and nobody spoke in favour.

Loss of a veteran beech and other mature trees, along with concerns about the impact of the proposed development on hospitality and other businesses in the city, were the two main issues that prompted the council to withdraw its support and lodge an objection with North Yorkshire Council.

City councillors Andrew Williams and Barbara Brodigan, who sit on North Yorkshire Council’s Skipton and Ripon planning committee which, in the New Year will have the final say on the application, did not take part in the debate or vote. They absented themselves from the meeting after listening to the points raised by members of the public

Save the trees campaigners pictured near the veteran beech during last month’s peaceful protest at Minster Gardens.

Among the speakers was Ripon resident Jenni Holman, who launched a petition in April aimed at saving the veteran beech and 10 other trees, which will be felled if the cathedral’s application is approved.

She told the meeting:

“The petition has gathered more than 2,000 signatures, with more coming each day.

“Those who have signed it do not object to the cathedral having the facilities that it needs to prosper, we are simply saying that Minster Gardens, which is a public park and oasis of green in the city, is the wrong place for this development.”

Kevin Hill, who co-owns and runs the Karma clothing and gift shop in Kirkgate, said:

“I came to a meeting here in February, where councillors voted to call for a retail impact assessment to be carried out, to find out how the annex development with its refectory and shop would affect local businesses.

“At the meeting we were told by the cathedral that there was no need for businesses to have any anxiety as their scheme would be beneficial to all of the city because of the additional footfall that would be generated.

“Months later and with no impact assessment carried out, traders found that the cathedral’s own design and access document said, for the cathedral refectory to be financially viable, it needs to be large enough to accommodate coach parties and very close to the cathedral, to ‘prevent visitors from drifting away from the cathedral and using various cafes in the city'”

Mr Hill added:

“So in effect, their stated strategy is to keep all the business for themselves and starve other cafes in the city. Quite frankly, this is a disgrace.”

The cathedral’s case

Though nobody at last night’s meeting spoke in support of the annex application, the cathedral has previously stated its case through a number of channels, including last December’s pre-application briefing for the city council; at its annual review meeting in September at the cathedral and through the  Ripon Cathedral Renewed pamphlet, 

With 100,000 visitors through its doors during 2022,  the cathedral lacks both an ability to offer its own hospitality facilities and provide accessible toilets for people with limited mobility.

Dean John Dobson and the cathedral chapter have emphasised an urgent need for action.

The cathedral has stated that there are exceptional reasons for felling the trees and in the Ripon Cathedral pamphlet produced in support of its planning application, said:

“All other potential locations and solutions have been considered over many years and have proven to be undeliverable.”

In compensation for the loss of the 11 trees, a new woodland area with 21 trees will be created within the vicinity of the cathedral and the annex. Dean John has also stated that 300 native trees will be planted on land near Studley.

The Stray Ferret will be publishing a further story including more views expressed at last night’s meeting and subsequently. The cathedral and chapter will have the opportunity to respond to the council’s decision.

Main image: This cgi provides an aerial perspective showing the proposed annex development. Picture: Ripon Cathedral Renewed

A Ripon solicitors’ revised plans for a replacement roof incorporating 14 solar panels have been slated by Historic England.

Newtons Solicitors relocated from Duck Hill to new, larger premises at 36  Market Place South last year.

It is now seeking planning permission for the roof which, if approved, would be constructed from modern Brazilian slate to the front and rear elevations, with solar panels on the roof at the back of the property.

A previous application submitted to North Yorkshire Council in June was refused, but a revised plan will be considered at this evening’s full Ripon City Council meeting at the town hall — two doors down from Newtons’ offices.

Newtons’ office (right) are in close proximity to the grade II listed Ripon Town Hall

City councillors will have the opportunity to make their observations this evening, but Historic England, which is the government’s statutory adviser on the historic environment, has already submitted its comments to North Yorkshire planners.

In a letter dated November 30, which can be seen on the North Yorkshire Council planning portal, the heritage watchdog, said:

“The replacement of the traditional stone slate roof with a new Brazilian slate material would result in unjustified harm to Ripon Conservation Area.”

It added:

“We do not consider that there is any justification for the level of harm arising from the proposed removal of a traditional stone roof and its replacement in slate.

“We are not supportive of these proposals. We cannot find any legitimacy in the applicant’s position that the removal of a historical stone roof and its replacement with a contrasting material is any sort of enhancement to the special architectural or historic interest of the conservation area.

“The stone slate roof is a legitimate part of the positive contribution this building makes to the conservation area. Therefore, its loss both with regard to the physical fabric and the associated loss of context would dilute its historical appearance and would be irrefutably harmful.”

‘Minor visual impact’

A planning, design and heritage statement prepared on behalf of Newtons by planning experts CLB Heritage, claimed:

“36 Market Place South is of no heritage interest as a 19th century building with later 20th century alteration. The adjacent listed buildings are of significance, but the row contributes positively overall to the character and appearance of the Ripon Conservation Area.”

It added:

“The change from stone to Welsh (or similar) slate roof tiles will have a very minor visual impact. The impact is reduced because the Welsh slate is a key feature in Ripon Market Place as set out in the conservation area appraisal.”

‘No harm done’

With regard to the impact on the conservation area, CLB concluded:

“No harm has been identified to the significance or setting of the surrounding listed buildings or conservation area. On balance, the works preserve and enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area, utilising a traditional and predominantly used material.”

Main picture: The solicitors’ offices are within the Ripon Conservation Area.

Read More: 

Will a single beech tree topple a £6 million development for Ripon Cathedral?

The cathedral argues a new annex is urgently needed to provide 21st century facilities for churchgoers, visitors and choristers.

The Ripon Cathedral Renewed project, involves creating a 1,000 square metre, two storey, standalone building on Minster Gardens, which would provide an 80-seat refectory, a song school, gift shop, toilets and additional storage space.

But there is a major potential stumbling block. To build the new annex a veteran tree will have to be felled.

The mature beech tree is on the ancient tree inventory of The Woodland Trust, the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity. It is thought  to be between 150 and 200 years old.

It has become emblematic, providing a rallying point for campaigners opposed to construction of the building on public open space.

The Dean of Ripon Cathedral, the Very Revd John Dobson, has tried for years to improve facilities at the cathedral and has described the loss of the beech and ten other trees as a ‘moral dilemma’ which requires balancing ‘with urgent needs and undeniable benefits’.

It’s also a dilemma that puts the councillors who will ultimately decide whether or not the development goes ahead, in an unenviable position.

An aerial cgi featuring the proposed annex on Minster Gardens to the north of the cathedral. Picture Ripon Cathedral Renewed

The common beech, whose scientific name is Fagus Sylvatica, is regularly described as the ‘Queen of British trees’.

With unintended irony, the Woodland Trust, which has formally objected to the loss of the Ripon veteran and ten other mature trees on Minster Gardens, describes common beech trees as having ‘cathedral-like branches.’

But does saving an ancient tree, which in UK planning law is considered ‘irreplaceable’, trump the stated needs of the people involved in the day to day running of an ancient building, which has been central to the history and heritage of Ripon since St Wilfrid laid its foundation stone 1,351 years ago?

The Rules

The government’s National Planning Policy Framework says that planning authorities:

Should refuse planning permission if development will result in the loss or deterioration of ancient woodland, ancient trees and veteran trees unless both of the following applies:

• there are wholly exceptional reasons
• there’s a suitable compensation strategy in place 

The Very Revd John Dobson said that the loss of trees presents a ‘moral dilemma’ 

The cathedral’s case

With 100,000 visitors through its doors during 2022,  the cathedral lacks both an ability to offer its own hospitality facilities and provide accessible toilets for people with limited mobility.

The Dean and cathedral chapter have emphasised an urgent need for action.

The cathedral has stated that there are exceptional reasons for felling the trees and in the Ripon Cathedral Renewed leaflet, produced in support of its planning application, said:

“All other potential locations and solutions have been considered over many years and have proven to be undeliverable.”

In compensation for the loss of the 11 trees, a new woodland area with 21 trees will be created within the vicinity of the cathedral and the annex. Dean John has also stated that 300 native trees will be planted on land near Studley.

Last December the planning application was submitted to Harrogate Borough Council, three months before the district authority was abolished and subsumed into the new unitary North Yorkshire Council.

Those in favour and those against

Among its early supporters was Historic England, the government’s expert advisor on England’s heritage.

The watchdog, which had scuppered a previous proposal for an extension physically attached to the south side of the cathedral’s west frontage, said:

“This application is highly sensitive due to the wonderful historic townscape of Ripon, its proximity and relationship to Ripon Cathedral, and from the heritage value of the site itself.

“The proposal would make a positive contribution to the historic environment of Ripon, sitting appropriately in location and design terms with the townscape and cathedral, and beginning to rearticulate the original cathedral precinct. However, the loss of open space and trees would have a minor impact on heritage significance.

“We consider that many elements of the proposal are in line with those parts of the NPPF (National Planning Policy Framework) within our statutory remit.”

The local heritage watchdog Ripon Civic Society took a very different view. It said:

“While we do not disagree with the cathedral’s view that a new annex on the north side of the cathedral will contribute to the sustainable future of the cathedral and enhance the city of Ripon, we consider that siting an annex on Minster Gardens is unacceptable.”

At its full meeting last December, where a pre-application presentation of the proposed scheme was made, Ripon City Council supported ‘the general principle’ of the development.

The council said:

“We will be looking at the finer detail when the planning application is submitted, but the city council supports the general principle of this development, with the exception of the proposed closure of Minster Road, which we cannot agree with because diverting traffic elsewhere would cause many problems.”

Impact on city business

At the February 2023 council meeting, business owners expressed concerns that the proposed development would  ‘funnel’ visitors away from Kirkgate where a number of cafes and restaurants are located.

The city council called for a retail impact assessment to be carried out to see if the refectory would result in a reduction in business for local traders.

North Yorkshire planners thought this was unnecessary, even though the design and access document prepared in support of the annex application, said:

“Cathedral Refectory: for this to be a financially viable part of the cathedral business plan it needs to be a certain size, to accommodate a coach party, and be very close to the cathedral.

“This is required to prevent visitors from drifting away from the cathedral and using the various cafés in the city.”

This opened up a new wave of posts on social media focusing on the perceived contradiction between the planning document and the cathedral’s claim that the development would bring an increase in footfall of up to 50% that would be ‘good news for the local economy and local businesses’.

The tree campaigners

While the city debated the impact on businesses, the fight to save the veteran beech gathered momentum.

The tree has been the focus of a ‘save our trees’ petition launched in April by Ripon resident Jenni Holman.

The petition has gathered more than 2,000 signatures and has been provided in 19 tranches for inclusion on the North Yorkshire Council planning portal.

In addition, at the time of publication, planners have received comments from 169 supporters of the annex application, and 79 from objectors.

The tree campaigners pictured at their peaceful protest on November 25

The campaigners, whose protest generated TV, Radio, online and printed media coverage across Yorkshire and Tyneside, was given added impetus in September, when the world-famous sycamore gap tree on Hadrian’s Wall, was cut down in an act of vandalism that brought national and international outrage and media coverage.

Ms Holman, said:

“Over the past eight months we have been raising awareness of the cathedral’s plans.  We do not object to the cathedral having the additional facilities that it needs to prosper, but there are more suitable and less sensitive locations, including land and buildings owned by the church which could be developed to meet its needs.”

The annex planning application will be considered by the Skipton and Ripon Constituency Planning Committee of North Yorkshire Council  in the New Year, at a meeting due to be held in Ripon.

The Stray Ferret will cover the crucial meeting and any significant developments that take place beforehand.

Read More: 

• Heritage watchdogs disagree over £6m Ripon Cathedral annex
• Ripon Cathedral expansion: ‘Impractical’ to keep veteran beech tree
• Tree campaigners to hold protest against Ripon Cathedral’s £6m annex plans
• Old Deanery calls for Ripon Cathedral’s £6m scheme to be rejected

Ripon’s food and drink hotspot may see a new hospitality business arriving in the New Year following the submission of a planning application to North Yorkshire Council.

The application for a change of use would, if approved, see the former offices of Newtons Solicitors at 4 Duck Hill turned into a restaurant and hot food takeaway.

The potential operator is un-named in the application which, if successful, would see the restaurant and takeaway using the ground and upper floor of the building.

The Silva Bells restaurant opened in March

It has been a busy year for property deals in this part of the city, with the Bikemongers off-road cycling retailer relocating last week to 2 Kirkgate, from its former base on Duck Hill and transactions that saw two new hospitality business open.

The Silva Bells opened in March in premises formerly occupied by the Bambudda Asian fusion restaurant at 23-25 Kirkgate and further up the street, The Portly Pig bottleshop and taproom, owned by Adam Coulson, opened in September in a historic building that was previously home to the Oasis florists and, before that, the Ripon Gazette newspaper office.

Main picture: The premises at 4 Duck Hill have been vacant since Newtons Solicitors relocated to Market Place South

Read more:

• New restaurant adds to Ripon’s hospitality offer
• Bottleshop and taproom opens in historic Ripon premises

St Wilfrid’s on Coltsgate Hill, Ripon, has received an amazing early Christmas gift  – an organ worth £350,000.

The Grade II listed church, which is among the city’s architectural gems and described as one of the finest Catholic parish churches in England, has taken delivery of a mechanical action pipe organ, formerly in use at the University of Huddersfield.

Built by JW Walker of Brandon in Suffolk for Castleford businessman Michael Phipps, the organ was subsequently donated by him to the university in 2008 and now, with the assistance of Dr John Rowntree, one of the UK’s foremost organ specialists, it has found a new home in Ripon.

Dr Rowntree, director of music at Douai Abbey in Berkshire, is chair of the British Institute of Organ Studies and the Committee for the Listing of Historic Organs,

Dr John Rowntree (left) and Canon Ian Smith, are pictured in St Wilfrid’s, where the organ will be installed in the loft at the back of the church

He told the Stray Ferret:

“This wonderful instrument is of Grade 1 class and, with its mechanical action, is particularly suitable for playing music from the Bach period.

“It will give a completeness to the restoration of this beautiful church and I look forward to being involved in its installation here in the New Year.”

Parish priest Canon Ian Smith, plays the organ and keenly awaits the day when he has the opportunity take to the keyboards and pedals.

He said:

“It’s a superb instrument and such a generous gift from Huddersfield University. We had to move quickly and, with invaluable advice from Dr Rowntree, all parts of the organ are now here and ready to be reassembled, once we have raised the necessary funding.”

Canon Smith added:

“In making the donation to us, the university had one proviso – saying that its students have the right to visit our church to play the organ. They will be made most welcome,”

Parishioner Barrie Price, who is chair of the church fundraising committee, which has raised £500,000 for an ongoing programme of restoration and development, pointed out:

“The organ is valued at £350,000  and would have originally cost considerably more.

“Its rebuilding and installation cost is quoted at £40,000 and the Leeds Diocese have agreed that we can go ahead for half this figure in the New Year, by loaning the parish the other half.

Mr Price, added:

“We have launched a special organ fund, which is separate  from the Restoration Appeal, which we hope will raise this first half over the Advent period so that it can be installed early in 2024.”

Residents woke up yesterday morning to find Ripon wrapped in a white blanket, as the first significant snowfall of the winter covered the city.

The Stray Ferret was on hand to capture images from the Millfield play area at Bondgate Green, as parents and children played, to Spa Gardens, where Mick Burns’  striking Alice in Wonderland sculpture was transformed into Alice in Winterland.

Families braved the winter weather for some weekend fun at the Millfiled play area

Spa Gardens will become a focus of Christmas celebration from December15 to 17, when an array of illuminated decorations will light up the parkland area.

The free family-focused festive event, open from 2pm until 8pm on each of the three days, will offer entertainment and visual delights, with a number of displays, alongside Santa and his sleigh.

The wonderland sculpture which features Alice and other characters from her adventures, is a lasting reminder of the city’s link to the world-famous books of Lewis Carroll (AKA Charles Lutwidge Dodgson) whose father was a canon at Ripon Cathedral and the author was a chorister.

The artwork, unveiled  in 2013 and extended by Burns in 2014,  was caught in the winter chill yesterday, but will be bathed in light for the wonderland event.

A wintry Ripon Cathedral, viewed from Minster Gardens

In Market Square, the city’s Christmas tree and reindeer decoration, provided a fitting festive setting for Ripon Town Hall.

The stylish Georgian building (pictured) was built in 1799 as a townhouse for Mrs Elizabeth Allanson and assigned to the corporation in 1897 by her heir the first Marquess of Ripon, who served as the city’s mayor for two consecutive terms from 1895.

The life and work of George Frederick Samuel Robinson, Ripon’s most high profile politician, who also served as Viceroy and Governor-General of India from 1880 to 1884, is celebrated with a statue in his honour in Spa Gardens (pictured below)

Yesterday, his towering figure could be seen in the Narnia-like setting of the gardens, surrounded by evergreen trees coated in snow.

Read more:

• Why is time is no longer standing still at a Ripon monument?
• See How Hill in the snow

Ripon’s last remaining high street bank has closed until December 13 for “essential maintenance”.

Diane Whelan (pictured), 86, was one of many disgruntled customers who arrived at the branch on the corner of High Skellgate and Westgate today to find it closed. 

A sign in the window advises customers that the nearest branch is in Harrogate town centre. It adds that people can access remote banking online and on the HSBC mobile app.

The bank closed on Thursday (November 30) for essential maintenance.

Diane Whelan.

Ms Whelan told the Stray Ferret: 

“This could not be more inconvenient, with Christmas just over three weeks away.

“Why couldn’t this work have been done at some other time?”

Ms Whelan has been an HSBC customer for more than 60 years and was calling to get a statement. 

She said: 

“I’m afraid I don’t do online and I’m sure other people like me will feel the same.”

The closure of Halifax in November 2022 left HSBC, which has no external cash machine, as the city’s only remaining bank.

Read more:

• Halifax closure leaves Ripon with one remaining bank
• Harrogate and Ripon survive today’s cull of HSBC branches