11
Jun 2024
Ripon Cathedral rejects claim about memorial garden
'Save our Trees' campaigners have claimed that the proposed £8 million Ripon Cathedral annexe development will result in the removal of the Royal British Legion memorial garden.
Campaigners gathered on Minster Gardens on Saturday as part of their bid to prevent the loss of 11 trees as part of the cathedral development.
The memorial garden is situated on Minster Gardens, opposite the cathedral.
Protestor Brian McHugh told the Stray Ferret:
Despite reassurances from the cathedral that the memorial garden will remain, it does not appear on the plans that can be seen on the North Yorkshire Council planning portal and the area where it is currently located looks as though it is destined to be concreted over.
The cathedral responded to the claim with the following statement:
The Royal British Legion is aware of our proposals. While there would be some disruption during the construction process, the plans offer the opportunity for the memorial garden to be enhanced - this is a project which would be carried out in conjunction with the Royal British Legion and the local community.
The memorial garden will remain and continue to be a focal point of the gardens under the cathedral's proposed plans for vital new facilities.
Each year this garden is re-dedicated for the annual season of remembrance by the Dean of Ripon or another member of clergy.
The Royal British Legion memorial garden
We have just celebrated the 80th anniversary of D-Day, honouring the sacrifice of those who gave their lives for peace and justice; it is disappointing that those who oppose the cathedral's plans are using this solemn moment to misrepresent the cathedral’s intentions.
The plans involve building on 21% of the current green space but with land being gifted by the cathedral, further public gardens will be created, resulting in a 42% increase in green space and increased bio-diversity.
Although 11 trees would be removed, 21 will be planted on site, six of which are mature. Three hundred more are being planted at nearby Studley.
A recent two-month long consultation exercise carried out by the cathedral showed that 77% of those who responded were in favour of the plans.
Ripon resident Jenni Holman, who has raised a petition signed by more than 2,400 people who object to the removal of trees and loss of green space at Minster Gardens, said:
The picnic was the latest in a series of protests against the cathedral's plans to build a large annexe here.
This park is a public park, it is not owned by the cathedral. Their plans would involve chopping down 11 beautiful trees including a veteran beech tree.
These trees are used by multiple species so maintain biodiversity. The new building would cover 50% of this area, leaving only three sycamore trees standing.
I think the importance of trees and green space on mental health and wellbeing is greatly underestimated by the Dean and Chapter
The cathedral has paused the planning application multiple times with the promise of looking for a compromise. I have lost faith in their promises, nothing has been forthcoming and they seem hellbent on forging ahead with their original plan.
The cathedral needs upgraded facilities and just a little creative thinking could go a long way to securing these without the need for destroying our public park.
Other raising awareness and fundraising protest activities are planned — it's definitely not over yet!
We have engaged a legal team to investigate the planning application process. Funding for this is coming in through public donations.
0