Dean calls on council to support Ripon Cathedral’s £6m schemeThe Dean of Ripon has asked city councillors to ‘stand shoulder to shoulder’ with the cathedral and support its plans for a £6 million development.
Ripon Cathedral is hosting an exhibition of the plans in the north transept until the end of July.
They include building a two-storey standalone building on parkland adjacent to the Old Courthouse Museum and near the Garden of Remembrance installed by the Ripon branch of the Royal British Legion.
The building would include new toilets, a refectory, a gift shop and storage space.
Speaking at Monday’s full council meeting, the Very Revd. John Dobson said it was import to provide 21st century facilities that could serve the needs of parishioners and the growing number of visitors to the ancient building, which is celebrating its 1,350th anniversary this year.
Dean John said:
“I hope that the city council will stand shoulder to shoulder with us in supporting a development that will benefit the Ripon economy by bringing more visitors.
“While coming to enjoy the splendour of the cathedral, they will have the opportunity to visit the many attractions that Ripon has to offer.”
The plans are on display in the north transept at Ripon Cathedral.
The proposed development across Minster Road would also, he said, provide space for choristers to practice, as well as accommodate meetings of members of the cathedral congregation and the wider community.
Dean John told councillors:
“I’m pleased to report that we are having our best-ever year in terms of visitor numbers but as the cathedral’s reputation grows locally, regionally, nationally and even internationally, there is a need to provide modern-day facilities — particularly for those who come from afar.”
He said the Benedictine rule that guided Wilfrid in his work establishing the church in Ripon in AD 672 involved extending the hand of hospitality to visitors but, ironically, more than 1,300 years later the cathedral lacks the facilities to fulfil this mission.
Dean John added:
“I would like to thank those councillors who have already taken time to look at the proposals and we would welcome any of you who haven’t seen the plans to come and have a look and let members of the team know your views.”
Councillor Pauline McHardy said she supported the proposals and added:
“It will include the city centre’s first Changing Places toilet, making this magnificent cathedral more accessible to people with disabilities.”
Read more:
New £6m plans to extend Ripon Cathedral facilities proposedPlans 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.
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.
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
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.