Ripon residents reject cathedral annexe referendum

Ripon residents packed into Holy Trinity Church to debate proposals

Ripon residents have voted at a parish meeting to reject a proposed referendum on the cathedral's £8m annexe.

About 250 people packed the city's Holy Trinity Church to debate proposals by Stanley Mackintosh to hold the poll.

It would have included questions on topics such as the felling of trees, open space and impact on businesses.

If just 10 Ripon residents on the electoral roll had voted in favour of the poll taking place, it would have been called at the meeting.

However, Mr Mackintosh only managed to secure the support of four other people.

Despite previously saying he was withdrawing from the process, Mr Mackintosh attended the meeting and was the first person to speak.

Stanley Mackintosh attended the meeting and was the first person to speak

He was cut off by chair Sid Hawke after going over his allotted three minutes but said he hoped all sides of the argument could have their say during the meeting.

He said: "This is obviously a very complex matter. It's a difficult position for everybody."

Ripon City Council leader Andrew Williams pleaded with residents to reject the parish poll proposals, as he said the council would pick up a £10,000 bill.

He said: "You need to choose if you want to spend £10,000 on an election or if you'd like better Christmas lights or facilities for young children.

"To spend money on this poll would be truly scandalous."

Mr Williams received a round of applause after his speech, including from the Dean of Ripon, who was in attendance and also addressed the meeting.

Dean of Ripon John Dobson urged people to reject the parish poll

The Very Reverend John Dobson urged residents to reject the parish poll which he said would save the city "a lot of angst".

He said: "What the cathedral is proposing takes a lot of understanding and can't be looked at superficially.

"It's also good that there's a desire for the city to be together.

"I understand well that not everybody will agree but there's no reason for the city to fall out with itself."

People at the meeting spoke out both for and against the annexe plans, with one man arguing that a café or extension for a choir were not needed.

Another man, who said he was a guide at the cathedral, believed the extension would boost the city and provide much-needed facilities.

The extension in Minster garden would enhance the city, the Dean of Ripon previously said

However, a vote was taken, where an overwhelming majority of people raised their hands to say they wanted the poll proposals thrown out.

A second vote was then taken for those in favour of the poll and just five hands were raised — with 10 required for it to go ahead.

After the meeting, Mr Mackintosh told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that he was "not too troubled" by the outcome but said he was unhappy with how chair Sid Hawke and Ripon council clerk Paula Benson conducted the meeting.

He said: "It was a disgrace. I wasn't even allowed to counter the points against the poll. It was very undemocratic."