City divided by annexe plan for historic cathedral

Hundreds of people have responded to plans for a new building in the grounds of a cathedral in North Yorkshire whose origins date back to the 7th Century, with residents seemingly divided over the scheme.

A planning application for an £8m annexe at Ripon Cathedral has received more than 500 responses, with figures showing an even split between those in favour and against.

Original plans included felling 11 trees to make way for its construction, but under revised plans 12 trees would be removed, a heritage beech tree would be saved and 23 trees would be planted in mitigation.

Supporting the scheme, Sir Andrew Lawson-Tancred, a cathedral canon, said he was "bemused" by concerns over the trees.

"None of the trees in the garden have any great merit," he said.

Sir Andrew added that while the beech tree, known as tree 14, was a "veteran tree" and probably about 170 years old, it was "by no means a prime example of its type".

North Yorkshire Council said in total it had received 262 responses in support of the cathedral's plans for the annexe, while 260 were against, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The planning application stated that the project would include a cafe, gift shop, song school, additional storage space and new toilets in the city's Minster Gardens.

In support of the scheme, resident Jeremy Holroyd said he believed it would attract more visitors to the city.

"This will provide much-needed toilet and cafe facilities, which most other cathedrals offer, and will help attract more visitors to our ancient city," he said.

"I am glad to see the revised plan now retains an old tree, which formerly was going to be felled."

But writing in objection, local resident Lisa Bishop said: "The loss of city centre green space and the loss of priceless mature trees will have an adverse environmental effect, as well as the disturbance of already fragile ground."

Ripon Civic Society has also submitted further correspondece on its opposition to the development.

It called for North Yorkshire Council's corporate director of children and young people's services, Stuart Carlton, to be consulted on the application as society members felt young choristers using the building would not be sufficiently safeguarded.

In its objection, it said: "We do not consider it is acceptable from a safeguarding perspective to have a facility for a large number of children and young people within a mixed use, publicly accessible, building without a separated access."

Responding, Trevor Watson, the council's assistant director for planning, said safeguarding issues were covered by legislation separate to policies relevant to determining this planning application.

"The current planning application will be assessed fairly and on its own merits by the relevant planning committee," he added.

The revised plans are due to be considered by North Yorkshire councillors later this year.

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