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Feb 2023

Last Updated: 14/02/2023

Business

Calls to assess impact of Ripon Cathedral's £6m expansion on cafes and shops

by Tim Flanagan

| 14 Feb, 2023

ripon-19th-september-2022-empty-kirkgate-1

The cathedral view from Kirkgate.

Concerns raised by hospitality and other businesses about the proposed £6 million Ripon Cathedral annex, with its cafe and gift shop, have prompted Ripon City Council to call for a retail impact assessment to be carried out.

Supporters and opponents of the cathedral's application to build the two-storey building on Minster Gardens made their views known at last night's full council meeting.

After hearing both sides, council leader Andrew Williams, who proposed the impact assessment, also called for the cathedral's chapter to meet with businesses and Ripon Business Improvement District to listen to their concerns and answer any questions they have.

He said:

"I'm keeping an open mind until the application is considered later this year by (the new) North Yorkshire Council and my door is open to the cathedral and the traders who want to speak with me.

"We need to move forward in unity, minimise our differences and draw people together."

Cllr Williams declared an interest prior to speaking about the application because he has been nominated to serve on the North Yorkshire Council planning committee, which will adjudicate on the proposal.

Kevin Hill, who owns the the Karma clothing and gift boutique on Kirkgate with his wife Liz and Helen Slater, owner of Cathedral View Cafe that faces onto the ancient building, both felt the annex on Minster Gardens with a direct route from the car park would 'funnel' visitors away from Kirkgate.

Stanley Mackintosh, who lives on Kirkgate, said the street which leads down to the cathedral has numerous independent cafes and restaurants, with more in the city centre. He claimed:

"There will be damage to small independent traders if the proposal is given the go-ahead."

Mr Mackintosh had a copy of the longer-term masterplan vision for the cathedral quarter, which has elements that are not included in the annex planning application lodged with Harrogate Borough Council.

Minster Gardens

That wider masterplan, which would require a further planning application or applications, includes a proposed hotel with arts cafe underneath, which he said would further impact on hospitality businesses in the city.

Richard Taylor, co-chair of Ripon Civic Society, reiterated that the society supports development of new facilities for the cathedral but not at the proposed location. He said:

"Our concern was that the chosen site was one of great heritage and environmental sensitivity and we encouraged the cathedral to look at moving the new building a little further north into the stoneyard.

"More evidence has since come to light to show just how significant Minster Gardens are as a green space in the centre of the city framed by high-grade listed buildings.

"The importance of the fine group of trees there was recognised as long ago as 2009 in the Ripon Conservation Area Appraisal.

"They have recently been reassessed and the large beech tree in the centre of the garden has been added to the national register of veteran trees. Sweeping it away as the current proposal would do means losing an irreplaceable asset as highlighted by three of the borough council’s officers."

Dean says Ripon Cathedral Quarter will attract more visitors to the city

Civic society calls for re-think on Ripon Cathedral plan

City council support the principle of Ripon Cathedral development

The Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd. John Dobson pointed out that for every tree lost 30 would be planted to compensate for them at another location outside the city and this will lead to increased biodiversity.

He added that the plans will not bypass Kirkgate.

Dean John said:

"The vision we have delivers for the cathedral and the city by bringing more people and increased business."

Guy Wilson, a member of the cathedral fabric committee, said:

"The cathedral is the jewel in Ripon's crown and is in need of modern facilities for staff, worshippers and visitors."

These proposed facilities include the city centre's first Changing Places toilet, which will improve access for disabled people — a development welcomed by Councillor Pauline McHardy.

The meeting was told that the cathedral currently attracts in excess of 100,000 visitors a year and it is estimated that development of the cathedral quarter will bring up to 35,000 more per annum.

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Calls to assess impact of Ripon Cathedral's £6m expansion on cafes and shops

Minster Gardens

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