Ripon Cathedral to consider ‘adjustments’ to annexe proposal

Ripon Cathedral has said it will consider amending its plans to construct a new £8 million annexe building.

The cathedral paused its planning application in January amid widespread concern about the loss of 11 trees and the impact on local businesses.

Since then it has held a series of consultation events to listen to feedback and try to find a way forward.

In an update on social media today, the cathedral said feedback from the consultation had shown a “77% approval rate for the project’s progress”.

It added:

“The cathedral team is now reviewing the submissions to identify opportunities for areas of creative thinking and potential practical adjustments to the north side plans, while ensuring they align with the cathedral’s overall requirements.

“Conversations will then take place with planning officers. After this, we will share a further update on progress.”

The cathedral has said the annexe will attract more visitors to the city, provide a safe space for choristers and accessible toilets as well as space for a refectory and better shop.

The Very Revd John Dobson, the Dean of Ripon Cathedral, outlined the case for the scheme In a two-part interview with the Stray Ferret last month.

But more than 2,000 people have signed a petition against the felling of trees, including a veteran beech, in Minster Gardens.

Some businesses are also concerned the refectory would pull visitors away from existing hospitality venues in the city.

The two-month consultation on the proposed north side development has, according to today’s post by the cathedral, generated more than 900 comments via written cards, on-line submissions and letters.

It also included 22 facilitated drop-in sessions and 12 meetings.

The cathedral said:

“We value and respect the diverse opinions and concerns raised about the proposed plans and have been grateful for the opportunity to engage in meaningful and constructive conversations.”

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Ripon Cathedral clergy to discuss £6m expansion plans tomorrow

People will get the chance to ask senior clergy at Ripon Cathedral about the proposed £6 million expansion tomorrow.

The cathedral applied in December to build a two-storey annex on nearby Minster Gardens. It would include toilets, a song school, shop and cafe.

The project. known as Ripon Cathedral Renewed would involve felling 11 trees, including a veteran beech tree.

How the scheme would look.

The planning application, which can be viewed here, contains 406 documents and has received 242 comments.

North Yorkshire Council has yet to decide whether to accept the scheme.

The cathedral is launching its annual review at 10am tomorrow. In a Facebook post, it said:

“Dean John and members of chapter will give a presentation on how the cathedral has been delivering its strategy of growing God’s kingdom and progress made on Ripon Cathedral Renewed, together with time for questions.”

The veteran beech tree is pictured in the foreground.

According to the cathedral’s website, the expansion would “provide key facilities” and “enable it to host more events, exhibitions, and concerts, which will attract increased numbers of people to the city, to the benefit of all”.

Pat Waterfall, who has campaigned against the loss of trees, said:

“I will be going and, if I get the chance, will ask for clarification on the proposed tree planting. Is it 300 or as more recently reported about 60?

“Much of the planting seems to be shrubs or short-lived small trees which will in no way compensate for the loss of the existing trees let alone mitigate the huge carbon footprint of the new building.”

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Heritage watchdogs disagree over £6m Ripon Cathedral annex

Historic England, the government’s statutory adviser on the historic environment, has said it supports Ripon Cathedral’s £6 million plans to build a two-storey annex on Minster Gardens.

However, the national heritage watchdog’s views about the suitability of the proposed development site to the north of the cathedral are not shared by Ripon Civic Society.

The cathedral chapter submitted a planning application to Harrogate Borough Council in January, seeking permission to construct a standalone two-storey annex on Minster Gardens.

It would include a song school, cafe, shop and the city centre’s first Changing Places toilet for disabled people.

The development has divided opinion, with concerns about the impact on retailers and the removal of 11 trees, including a beech categorised as a veteran tree by the Woodland Trust.

In a letter to Harrogate Borough Council planners, Historic England said:

“Historic England supports the location and design of this proposal, which will make a positive 21st century contribution to Ripon’s wonderful historic environment.”

The letter, which can be viewed on the council’s planning website also states:

“This application is highly sensitive due to the wonderful historic townscape of Ripon, its proximity and relationship to Ripon Cathedral, and from the heritage value of the site itself.

“The proposal would make a positive contribution to the historic environment of Ripon, sitting appropriately in location and design terms with the townscape and cathedral, and beginning to rearticulate the original cathedral precinct. However, the loss of open space and trees would have a minor impact on heritage significance.

“We consider that many elements of the proposal are in line with those parts of the NPPF (National Planning Policy Framework) within our statutory remit.

“However, the NPPF also advises a need for an appropriate understanding of all heritage impacts before decisions are taken on applications. In this case, the archaeological impact of the proposal is unclear, and this issue needs to be resolved in advance of any planning decision.”

‘Unacceptable’

But Ripon Civic Society took a different view in its submission to the council. It said:

“While we do not disagree with the cathedral’s view that a new annex on the north side of the cathedral will contribute to the sustainable future of the cathedral and enhance the city of Ripon, we consider that siting an annex on Minster Gardens is unacceptable.”

The society added:

“The proposals in the application are unaltered from those we commented on in 2022.

“Ripon Civic Society wrote to the cathedral authorities in July 2022 supporting development on the north side of the Cathedral.

“We did not consider, however, that the proposed siting recognised the significance of Minster Gardens as an open space for the city, as set out in the Ripon Neighbourhood Plan that was agreed by referendum and adopted by Harrogate Borough Council as part of the Harrogate Local Plan.

“We therefore suggested the proper examination of the stone yard land for a redesigned building.”

To create space for the annex, the existing toilet block, outbuildings and a wall would need to be demolished and trees removed.

The civic society said:

“The trees that are proposed to be removed are an important part of the character of the conservation area, which would be severely lessened by their removal and replacement with a large building.

“We consider that a redesigned building in the stone yard would be an acceptable alternative.”

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