Chelmsford Cathedral: £600K precinct revamp considered

Chelmsford City Council is discussing revamping the cathedral precinct

Improvements to the precinct and grounds of Chelmsford Cathedral are being considered.

The project, worth £600,000, would be paid for through a range of measures, such as charges on new developments to improve local infrastructure.

If approved, the plans would create a new "ceremonial route" to the west door of the building.

The city council said the route would be used for "around 29 days a year" for weddings, funerals or special events.

A spokesman said the plans would "enhance both the cathedral's ceremonial and public park functions".

A landscape architect was appointed to prepare an enhancement plan for the precinct area, which was being developed in parallel with the pedestrianisation works in the adjacent Tindal Square, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Initial costs, estimated at £600,000, were likely to increase, the council's policy board heard.

The current plan includes a new through-route from New Street through Church Street, and out via Legg Street, for servicing the cathedral.

It also provides for a new ceremonial route to the west door of the cathedral, enlarged public spaces to the west and south of the building and a new public space to the east.

The plans include a new ceremonial route towards the west door, the council said

Existing routes through the churchyard would be maintained and there would be a programme of extensive tree-planting, the council heard.

Michael Hurst, the council's principal heritage officer, has told the board: "We had the initial concept design costed by a quantity surveyor in February of this year and at that time it was circa £600,000.

"The idea is that when we've got a detailed design, that will allow us to fundraise, and working in partnership with the cathedral, because they're a charity, that opens up various other doors for funding opportunities that that will be open to us."