In February, Ripon Cathedral withdrew plans to build an £8 million annexe on Minster Gardens. The application proved divisive but the question remains: what happens now? Here, Dennis Tarter, a member of the Cathedral Support Group, writes an opinion piece about the annexe and the way forward.

There are moments in a city’s history when a single decision — one moment of collective will or hesitation — can define its future. 

For Ripon, the withdrawal of Ripon Cathedral’s ambitious annexe plan is one such moment. 

This was more than just a building project; it was a vision for the city’s place in the modern world, a statement about Ripon’s identity as a cathedral city, not just in name but in spirit.

The proposed annexe was a bold and forward-thinking initiative — an investment not only in the cathedral but in Ripon itself. It promised to provide much-needed space for visitors, worshippers, and the wider community. 

It was a chance to blend history with progress, to acknowledge that while Ripon’s past is rich and proud, its future must be equally so. And yet, that opportunity has slipped away, leaving behind a sense of loss, of hesitation, of what might have been.

A city at a crossroads

Ripon has long stood as one of England’s historic cathedral cities, its skyline dominated by the towering presence of the cathedral that has shaped its identity for centuries. 

But being a cathedral city is more than having a medieval masterpiece at its heart. It requires a city to embrace its role as a place of culture, faith, and progress. It demands a willingness to evolve alongside its most iconic institution.

The annexe plan was a rare chance for Ripon to affirm its status as a city that not only values its heritage but actively builds upon it. It could have signalled to residents, businesses, and visitors alike that Ripon is a place where the past and future walk hand in hand. 

Instead, the withdrawal of the project raises uncomfortable questions: Does Ripon see itself as a cathedral city in more than just name? Does it have the ambition to grow, to meet the needs of the present while respecting the past?

A loss for Ripon and beyond

The decision to withdraw the annexe plan isn’t just a setback for the cathedral; it is a setback for the entire region. 

Economic opportunity, community engagement, and cultural vibrancy all stood to benefit from this project. The additional space would have made the cathedral more accessible and welcoming, allowing it to host more events, exhibitions, and gatherings that could have brought new life, and new visitors, to Ripon’s streets.

At a time when small cities and towns must work harder than ever to remain relevant and attractive, rejecting such a project feels like a missed step.

Ripon has lost a number of institutions over the years including the college and army camp. The annexe would have been a clear commitment to growth, a sign to the wider world that Ripon is not content to simply be a relic of history but a living, breathing city with aspirations for the future.

The road ahead

The cathedral will remain. Its ancient stones will continue to whisper the city’s history to those who visit. But history alone is not enough to sustain a city’s spirit or guarantee the financial sustainability of the cathedral. The withdrawal of the annexe plan is a moment to reflect, to ask difficult but necessary questions about what Ripon wants to be.

If the city truly sees itself as a cathedral city, it must act like one. It must support initiatives that strengthen its cultural and historical foundations while also embracing the changes necessary for progress. This was one opportunity lost—but the conversation about Ripon’s future cannot end here.

For now, the silence left by the unbuilt annexe serves as a reminder: a city that does not support its cathedral risks becoming a city that has forgotten what made it special in the first place.

Dennis Tarter, Cathedral Support Group