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23
Feb 2024
Ripon residents plan ‘community consultation’ event to heal rift with cathedral
A group of Ripon residents say they want to hold a ‘community consultation’ event alongside Ripon Cathedral regarding its controversial plans to build an £8m annexe.
Around 30 people who object to the plans met in the upstairs room of So! Bar & Eats last night in the city to discuss how to approach the increasingly bitter planning application.
The Cathedral says the proposed annexe on an area of public space called Minster Gardens is crucial to offer 21st-century facilities including a cafe whilst safeguarding the future of its choir.
But it has paused its planning application to North Yorkshire Council in order to take stock and listen to suggestions from the public following criticism of the new building’s location, the felling of 11 trees and its impact on local businesses.
The pros and cons of the annexe have been discussed for months on the Facebook group Blow Your Horn Ripon, with one resident saying the “toxic” online discourse has left them disillusioned and another saying they were now “sick to death” of hearing about it altogether.
To foster a more productive approach, heritage expert Andy Bates organised the meeting and residents spoke to say what they hoped a consultation event, at a location yet to be decided, might achieve.
Andy Bates, who organised the meeting. Image: LDRS
Many stressed the importance of having representatives from the cathedral attend otherwise it could lose legitimacy.
A woman called Pat said the consultation event should provide accurate information about the proposed annexe.
She said:
A man called Peter added:
Residents said they would produce leaflets to publicise the event, which they agreed would have neutral language so people could come and make up their own minds after hearing both sides.
It was also suggested Ripon’s schools could be engaged so the city’s young people can learn about local issues.
Mr Bates said:
Ripon Cathedral is currently hosting drop-in consultation events until March where cathedral members answer questions regarding the annexe.
Full dates and times are available here.
Read more:
- Ripon Civic Society raises concerns about £8m cathedral development
- Ripon Theatre Festival announces partnership with Stray Ferret
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