Plan to convert Ripon Cathedral Choir School into townhouses
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Last updated Aug 13, 2021
The former site of Ripon Cathedral choir school.
The former site of Ripon Cathedral choir school.

Persimmon Homes has lodged plans to convert the former Ripon Cathedral Choir School into four townhouses.

The school was previously earmarked to be demolished to make way for 12 new apartments.

The proposal came as part of a wider plan to build 105 homes on the Whitcliffe Lane site.

However, the developer said the demolition of the former school site was met “negatively by the public” and has since tabled a fresh application.

A total of 68 objections from residents were lodged to the council against the previous proposal.


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The developer said in planning documents that the new bid to convert the building into homes followed conversations with officers at Harrogate Borough Council.

It said:

“Following feedback and discussions with case officer, Persimmon Homes have sought to amend the proposal, withdraw the application and submit a new application for the conversion of the school building. 

“The Conservation Officer confirmed via email in April 2021 that retaining the building is ‘the way forward’.”

Persimmon said in its plans that the current building is in “extremely poor condition”.

The new proposal will see the existing brickwork retained but the roof replaced in its entirety due to its poor condition.

The building was originally constructed as a late 19th Century grandstand. It was converted in the early 20th century into two semi-detached dwellings, then extended for use as a school.

Ripon Cathedral Choir School began using the site in 1960 until it closed in 2012. It had planned to merge with a local preparatory school but this fell through.

Harrogate Borough Council will make a decision on the plan at a later date.