The latest episode in the Ripon Cathedral annexe story is set to be seen in the next day or so on Channel 4 news.
Alex Thomson, Channel 4’s chief correspondent and environmental reporter, was among 300 people at a parish meeting in the city last night.
What brought him to Ripon is the uncertain fate of 11 trees on Minster Gardens, which remain the central focus of attention in a controversial planning application that will be decided by North Yorkshire Council planners.
Alex Thomson at last night’s meeting with his producer Nanette van der Laan.
Mr Thomson told the Stray Ferret:
“We are interested in this story because of the trees. That’s why we are here in Ripon.”
The Channel 4 news item will primarily focus on the issue of trees.
The 11 trees are under threat because of the proposed two-storey standalone £8 million annexe, which would include a song school, 80-seat refectory, gift shop, accessible toilets and additional storage space.
The application has also attracted the attention of the Woodland Trust, whose inventory of ancient trees includes the 200-year-old veteran beech on Minster Gardens that would be removed if the cathedral does not revise its plans.
The Parish Meeting
The 300 people at last night’s meeting included the Dean of Ripon the Very Revd John Dobson, a large contingent from the Ripon Cathedral congregation and supporters of the ‘save our trees’ campaign, which has raised a petition of more than 2,200 names.
They gathered at Holy Trinity Church for a parish meeting called by Ripon resident Stanley Mackintosh and five fellow registered electors.
The meeting was held under the provisions of the Local Government Act and would have led to a parish poll on the annexe application, had Mr Mackintosh been successful in gaining the requisite 10 votes to take the process forward. But just four, including himself, voted for, while an overwhelming majority voted against.
Stanley Mackintosh (standing) had his call for a parish poll rejected.
Speaker after speaker called by meeting chair and Mayor of Ripon Councillor Sid Hawke, raised concerns about the potential £10,000 of Ripon council tax payer money that would have been required by North Yorkshire Council to stage the poll.
There was applause for Ripon City Council leader Andrew Williams when he said:
“This meeting must decide whether the people of Ripon want to pay an unbudgeted £10,000 for North Yorkshire to carry out a totally meaningless exercise, or use that money for things such as the city’s Christmas lights, supporting children and families or helping the elderly.”
He added:
“As a member of the North Yorkshire planning committee that will decide upon this application, I am unable to talk about its merits or demerits, but I can say that a parish poll on the matter will carry no weight and will not have any influence on the final outcome.”
There was similarly loud applause when former mayor of Ripon Mick Stanley, said:
“We have heard the mood of the meeting, so let’s kick this call for a poll into touch.”
A vote was taken and Mr Stanley’s proposal was overwhelmingly supported, ahead of a further vote which sought to see if Mr Mackintosh had sufficient support to trigger the parish poll.
His bid to gain 10 votes failed.
Dean John (pictured above) echoed the views expressed by a number of speakers, when he said:
“This is a complex matter and I thank the mayor for the way he has handled this meeting.
“It has brought together people who have differing views about the planning application and through our continuing drop in sessions, we want to hear as many constructive views as possible,
“We are sincere and we are listening to everybody, both for and against.”
