Ripon Cathedral Renewed stems from a far-reaching vision for the development of both Ripon Cathedral and the city’s Cathedral Quarter. The cathedral has submitted a planning application to Harrogate Borough Council for a new building on the north side of the cathedral, which will include a song school, community space and toilet facilities, along with a refectory and retail unit.

Ripon Cathedral exists to serve the people of the city, region and beyond and provides a ‘hub of communities.’ The proposed new building will provide key facilities to ensure it can continue to play its role in the life of the city, diocese (of Leeds) and region 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.

One of the key elements of the new building will be the song school, which will give the cathedral choir a new permanent home, providing rehearsal and changing facilities and a safe space for the children. These facilities will allow it to continue to flourish and develop into a world-class choir. The current song school is a cramped under-croft formerly used as a bone chamber.

Accessibility is a key element of the new building and, along with disabled access and toilets, it will provide the only adult changing facilities in the city for those with disabilities.

Improving and increasing the open/public space to the north side of the cathedral has been a central consideration during the planning phase, and the proposed building and landscaping will do exactly that.

In addition to enhancing the Memorial Garden, the proposal will see the creation of a new ‘Cathedral Quarter’ – as proposed in the Ripon City Plan. In addition to bringing the cathedral closer to the city, this will create improved public spaces around the cathedral for both the people of Ripon and visitors. It would also mean that views of the north side of the cathedral will be visible from the main car park and enable visitors and others to recognise a clear pedestrian route to the cathedral from the centre of the city.

We understand people’s concerns around the removal of 11 trees, but the building will deliver a range of much needed facilities for the people of Ripon and visitors, along with the cathedral community, and the loss of these trees will be offset by the planting of 300 trees at Studley Royal where land has been made available to us. We are also committed to managing this woodland.

Extra storage space will mean that the cathedral will be able to declutter its internal space, which will enable historic parts of the cathedral, currently not viewed, to be accessible to the public.

There will be an increase in the conservation area and biodiversity of the cathedral estate.

Minster Road enhancements [to follow] will ensure a much safer area around the cathedral for pedestrians and visitors and reduce harm to the fabric of the building.

Visit the Ripon Cathedral Renewed project page for more information.

*Further details can be found in the planning section of the NYC website

Add your comments on the application. Now is a good time for all who are keen to see this project move forward to show support. Closing date 3.4.23

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