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10
Oct
Former Archbishop of Canterbury urges Ripon Cathedral to rethink annexe plans
Former Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams has urged Ripon Cathedral to “think again” about its plans to fell trees to make way for a new building.
The cathedral submitted plans in 2022 for a two-storey annexe on Minster Gardens.
It says the building, which would include a cathedral choir school, cafe, toilets and disabled access. is sorely needed and would benefit the city.
But the plans have proved divisive, mainly because they involve the loss of a veteran beech tree and 10 others.
Dr Williams has now written to North Yorkshire Council, which will adjudicate on the proposal.
He said:
I am writing to join my voice to those who have expressed concern at the threat to historic trees posed by the plans for developments at Ripon Cathedral.
These plans do indeed promise important new possibilities for cathedral and city, and I understand the needs and pressures to expand facilities - but in the long-term any development that ignores the balance and well-being of the natural environment will have the effect of closing down possibilities. Like so many others, I hope that there will be an opportunity to think again about the need to preserve these treasured elements of the landscape in Ripon.
Dr Williams’ comments follow those made by Dame Judi Dench last month also expressing concern about the proposals.
Dame Judi, who is an ambassador for the Woodland Trust said she “fully supports the campaign to protect the veteran tree in Ripon, along with the other healthy urban trees under threat”.
The long-running saga could be resolved at the end of the year. The council has agreed an extension until December 3 for consideration of the proposed £8 million development on Minster Gardens – the same day that the Skipton and Ripon Area planning committee has a scheduled meeting.
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