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08
Feb
Ripon Civic Society receives award for cathedral annexe campaign
Ripon Civic Society has received an award for its campaign against the location for the proposed expansion of Ripon Cathedral.
The cathedral withdrew plans to build an £8 million annexe in Minster Gardens, also known as Kirkgate Park, on February 14 last year.
The proposal, submitted in January 2023, would have involved the felling of 11 mature trees, including a 200-year-old protected veteran beech, to make way for a two-storey standalone building on public open space.
But it attracted strong opposition, with about 3,000 people signing a petition against the loss of trees on Minster Gardens.
The civic society supported the cathedral’s need for additional space but argued the proposed building was not right for the location.
It drew attention to the detrimental effect the proposed new structure would have on listed buildings around the park, as well as the cathedral itself.
The annexe would have been built in Minster Gardens.
It also pointed out that a full archaeological survey had not been undertaken, produced documents, wrote letters, consulted with bodies such as the Woodland Trust and met key figures involved with the application.
The Yorkshire and Humber Association of Civic Societies awarded it the Peter Spawforth trophy and a cheque for £200 for outstanding work in the region because of its two-year cathedral campaign.
A 'measured and professional' campaign
Margaret Hicks-Clarke, chair of YHACS, said:
Ripon Civic Society’s entry for the Peter Spawforth award was an excellent example of a society tackling an important local issue in a measured and professional way. They used the expertise within their own ranks, as well as collaboration with outside bodies, to campaign for a better outcome for the city of Ripon.
Rachel Wigginton, planning lead for Ripon Civic Society, said:
This was one of the largest and most sustained campaigns the society has conducted for several decades and it occupied the attention of our entirely voluntary committee for almost two years. At no time was the society against the Cathedral’s principal aim, but we believe that the withdrawal of the proposal was the right outcome for the city of Ripon. We look forward to supporting them in the search for a solution that will be right for the cathedral and for Ripon.
This is the second time Ripon has won the award. it was also successful in 2019 for its Ripon ReViewed photographic project.
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