Ripon Cathedral considers changes to £8m annexe plans

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

Ripon Cathedral has said it would look at potential "practical adjustments" to its plans to build an £8m annexe.

The proposed new song school and café would be built next to the cathedral in Minster Gardens.

The plan attracted opposition from residents, some of whom argued it would take trade away from local businesses and involve felling trees.

However, results from an extensive consultation showed 77% approved of the annexe plans.

The Dean of Ripon, the Very Reverend John Dobson, maintained the annexe was crucial to offer 21st-century facilities, including new toilets, while safeguarding the future of its choir.

However, the cathedral paused its planning application to North Yorkshire Council in January, following opposition.

Since then, the cathedral held a series of 22 drop-in sessions, where members of the church were on hand to discuss the plans and receive feedback.

The plans have sparked controversy among residents

After publishing the positive results, the cathedral said it would review the feedback so it could "identify opportunities for areas of creative thinking" and "potential practical adjustments" to the plans.

They said the plans would still have to align with the cathedral's requirements for the new building.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, a cathedral spokesperson said there were more than 900 comments during the consultation exercise.

Thanking the respondents, they said: "We value and respect the diverse opinions and concerns raised about the proposed plans and have been grateful for the opportunity to engage in meaningful and constructive conversations."

They added that conversations would take place with planning officers and members of the public would be updated on progress.

Last week, local conservation group Ripon Civic Society offered a critique of the annexe plans in a submission to North Yorkshire Council.

It said: "The building does not work well in its location as designed, other than as a functional need to provide toilets as close to the cathedral as possible, nor does it relate well to the setting or views of the surroundings."