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30
Oct
Ex-archbishop ‘regrets raising the temperature’ on Ripon Cathedral annexe
Former Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams has said he regrets the impact of comments he made about Ripon Cathedral’s proposed £8 million building.
Earlier this month, Dr Williams urged the cathedral to “think again” about plans to fell 11 trees, including a veteran beech, to make space for a two-storey annexe building on Minster Gardens.
His comments, which you can read here, were interpreted by some as opposition to the development, which would include a choir school, cafe, toilets and disabled access.
Now the Cathedral Support Group, which describes itself as an independent campaign group that supports the annexe, has shared some of Dr Williams’ correspondence with stakeholders, including Baroness Harris of Richmond and Lord Newby, who got in touch with Dr Williams following his comments.
The correspondence includes comments by Dr Williams in which he said it was “deeply troubling to see that comments I made in good faith have inadvertently contributed to a divisive atmosphere”. He added: “My intent was solely to acknowledge the concerns of those who approached me in a moderate manner.”
He also said he “very much regretted any raising of the temperature in the debate about it all, or any personal aspersions made”.
Dr Williams, who was archbishop from 2002 to 2012, did not retract his comments about the trees but said he “supports a solution that balances development with respect for the environment and local community”.
The support group added Dr Williams had been in contact with Dean John Dobson saying he was “in no way opposed to a development that will resolve urgent issues and provide vital opportunities for the community”.
He concluded in one email:
I have done my best to reply to as many as possible of those who have written to me with their views, but I'm not sure I can give adequate time to another round of this! I hope very much that this will calm down and a sensible outcome emerge.
The cathedral submitted its planning application almost two years ago.
It paused it in January this year to listen to feedback following widespread concerns, particularly about the loss of trees.
There is still no timeframe on when it will be assessed by North Yorkshire Council.
Archbishop contacts cathedral
The cathedral has also released details of an email it received from Dr Williams. It said:
I am sorry to learn that my comments have been linked with expressions of hostility to the Dean and Chapter in Ripon. I should want to be clear that I had no intention of attacking the good faith or good will of any individual or group involved in the proposals, but simply of registering an environmental concern. If, as it appears, there is willingness to address this concern, I hope that there will be a way forward that is generally satisfactory.'
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