City councillors have expressed concerns about a lack of consultation over Ripon Cathedral’s plans to erect a two-storey building next to the Courthouse Museum.

Re-elected and newly-elected Ripon city councillors, at their first full meeting since the May 5 local elections, said they have not been formally invited to see or be briefed about the £6m scheme.

The scheme has been brought forward as an alternative to the initial plans for an extension to the south side of the iconic building.

The new proposals, involving a standalone multi-purpose building including a cafe, toilets, gift shop and space for the cathedral’s choristers, are currently on display in the quire area, as part of a community consultation.

On May 24, the Stray Ferret reported that a model and exhibition panels focusing on proposals to develop the site to the north of the cathedral, were on display in the north transept.

The exhibition was temporarily removed from this location to make room for the cathedral’s platinum jubilee celebrations, which included the civic service for North Yorkshire and a timeline tea party for people born in each year of the Queen’s reign.

An architect’s design of the two-storey building.

Independent council leader Andrew Williams said:

“I’m afraid that sticking a model and plans at the far end of the cathedral, is not, in my opinion, the best way of seeking comment on proposals as important as these are.

“As the city’s elected representatives it is imperative that we as a body are fully briefed and have the opportunity to make our views known, but up to this point, we have not been engaged in the consultation process.”

Plans for a £6million extension to the south side of Ripon Cathedral’s west-facing frontage are on hold and alternative proposals have been put on public display.

The Ripon Cathedral Renewed Project, which aims to provide 21st century facilities for the cathedral’s parishioners, choristers, the wider community and an ever-increasing number of visitors, already has £4 million in pledges.

But it needs to secure a further £2 million if ambitions are to be achieved.

Signs at the exhibition, being held in the north transept, explain that the alternative plan has been brought forward after reservations were expressed about the previously proposed extension

The new plan, captured in this artist’s impression, involves creating new indoor and outdoor space.

Proposals involve a standalone two-storey development to the north of the iconic building on an area of land that also houses the Old Courthouse Museum and the Royal British Legion Garden of Remembrance.

Proposal to close Minster Road to through traffic

They also include the suggested closure of Minster Road to through traffic, to provide a safe link for pedestrians and people in wheelchairs or families with prams and buggies, to move between the cathedral and the new building.

The proposal includes the provision of pedestrian-friendly links between the cathedral and the new building and into the Cathedral Car Park.

The community consultation aims to gauge views on the design of the new building, landscaping of the site and the Minster Road proposal.

Approval required at every level

A message from the Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd. John Dobson, thanks donors who have already pledged support to the Ripon Renewed Project and adds that the bid to make the vision a reality is ‘nearer than ever before.’

He points out that in addition to obtaining further financial pledges:

“We need plans that will attract approval at every level.”

The wooden model on display shows the new two-storey building to the right and its relationship to the cathedral.

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The new building would incorporate indoor toilets, including a Changing Places toilet for disabled  people, a café/refreshment area, improved shop, meeting room, new facilities for the choir school and additional storage capacity to take the pressure off use of space in the cathedral.

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A national treasure

When the Ripon Renewed project that was announced Dean John, said:

“It is clear that the development of the cathedral is vital to bring this national treasure into the 21st century.

“As custodians of this fantastic building we are only too aware of the legacy we uphold. We have this ancient history, this wonderful architecture – what we haven’t got are the facilities that people need.

“Each generation has, over 13 centuries, taken on what has been handed to it and made its own contributions. We take none of this for granted and we have a responsibility, in our generation, to make our contribution now.”

The site for the proposed new building, is to the right of the Old Courthouse Museum and adjacent to the Royal British Legion Garden of Remembrance

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Serving future communities

He added:

“Over the last few years it has become increasingly obvious to a growing number of people that the development of Ripon Cathedral is vital as we seek to serve the communities of the region now and in the future.”

The community consultation will help to shape a formal planning application that will be submitted to Harrogate Borough Council and people who go to view the plans, are asked by Dean John to fill out a short questionnaire available at the exhibition.

If successful, plans would see the first major development in hundreds of years of the cathedral’s facilities, for a building containing the oldest built fabric of any English cathedral –  St Wilfrid’s Crypt – dating back to 672 AD.

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Read more:

• Successful launch of Ripon’s 1350 celebrations 
• Internationally-famous artist on the route from Rome to Ripon

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