Homes England‘s suggestion that extremely rare military buildings on the Ripon barracks site could be demolished and replaced with replicas, was greeted with derision at last night’s city council meeting.
Council leader Andrew Williams drew laughter from fellow councillors when he said:
“It’s like saying we’re going to knock down Fountains Abbey and replace it with a model that can be moved closer to Ripon!
“It’s clearly ridiculous and shows a complete lack of understanding of the major significance of the city’s military heritage.”
Cllr Williams and Cllr Barbara Brodigan, who are Ripon’s two representatives on North Yorkshire Council, spoke of their frustration at the lack of progress being made in discussions with Homes England about the protection and maintenance of ‘priceless’ historic buildings and structures, which could be bulldozed to make way for 1,300 houses on a development known as Clotherholme.
A computer generated image of the proposed barracks site which is rich in military history.
Members voted unanimously to support a proposal from Cllr Brodigan for the city council to write a letter backing the work of Ripon Military Heritage Trust, which was formed last year to research, conserve, interpret and provide access to the tangible and intangible military heritage of the City of Ripon.
Cllr Brodigan said:
“Both Homes England and North Yorkshire Council need to know that the barracks site is unique because it is unique in having heritage features of a national and international significance that help to tell the story of Ripon’s role in the two World Wars and the subsequent Cold War.
“Homes England just don’t seem to get this, as they showed when they came up with the idea of replacing the priceless huts dating back to World War II with replicas.
“They also seem to think that a few noticeboards and relevant street names will suffice, rather than a proper heritage trail, as recommended by the trust.”
Response from Homes England
Last month, after city councillors raised concerns about Homes England’s approach to military heritage at the barracks site, a spokesperson for the government’s housing and regeneration agency, said:
“We remain committed to delivering a military heritage strategy as part of our wider proposals for the site and continue to discuss options with the local planning authority and the Ripon Military Heritage Trust.”
The government agency pointed out:
- Details for the heritage strategy, its funding, and potential use of the existing military structures continue to be fine-tuned as part of the planning application process.
- As part of ongoing discussions with North Yorkshire Council, Homes England and the Defence Infrastructure Organisation have committed to spending £100.000 towards the progression of the submitted heritage strategy. The council has asked Homes England / the DIO to continue engagement with Ripon Military Heritage Trust over the submitted heritage strategy and a number of options are now being explored as part of those discussions.
Main image: Are these extremely rare Second World War huts at the Ripon barracks site, going to remain or be removed? Picture: Ripon Military Heritage Trust
Read more:
- The priceless military heritage on Ripon’s barracks site
- Homes England sets aside £10 million for agreement covering Ripon development site
