Choristers' safety 'threatened' by cathedral plans

CGI image shows the proposed £8m annexe next to Ripon Cathedral

Revised proposals for a new building in the grounds of Ripon Cathedral have been criticised for putting the "safety" of young choristers at risk.

A planning application to North Yorkshire Council for a £8m annexe has been paused due to local opposition to the scheme.

Ripon Civic Society has now said that the latest plans focus more on preserving trees rather than ensuring the safety of users such as choir members.

The scheme for the building containing a song school, cafe and toilets in the Minster Gardens was first submitted two years ago as part of a 10-year project.

The cathedral said the location for its plans was the only one suitable

After the annexe plans were first announced, more than 2,000 people signed a petition against the scheme.

Since then objections to the development have included concerns it could harm the views from Studley Royal Park, take trade away from local businesses, and mean the loss of 14 trees.

Now, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Ripon Civic Society - which has an advisory role on local planning applications - has raised concerns about the latest plans.

The society said the new proposal contained "more references to safeguarding the trees in Kirkgate Park, than to the safeguarding of the users of the building".

A spokesperson for the society said safeguarding the choristers "must be a vital consideration of any planning".

"We consider the planned layout to be incompatible with that need," they added.

The society said the new plans meant choristers would have to use the same staircase and entrance hall as the public, and would only have access to two toilets.

The society also raised concerns over proposed unisex public toilets, which it said were "not considered to be safe for vulnerable children and adults".

Revised plans were drawn up amid public anger about the destruction of 11 trees to make way for the annexe.

The changed proposal would see 12 trees removed, but one heritage beech tree saved and 23 new trees planted in mitigation.

The revised plans are due to be considered by North Yorkshire councillors in the new year.

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.