In a surprising and sudden turn in the long-running annexe saga at Ripon Cathedral, the cathedral chapter today announced that they “had taken the decision to withdraw the current planning application for its proposed annex [sic] on the north side of the cathedral”.
In their statement, they noted that they “were saddened that Ripon City Council did not support the proposed annex [sic] in its December meeting” and commented, “we continue to be asked for ever more proof of viability and justification within the planning system.”
The application was due to be placed before planning councillors at North Yorkshire Council for scrutiny and evaluation in the coming months. This is not the first ‘pause’ that the developer has taken. In 2024, the developer announced a pause in order to engage more with the community. This withdrawal of the current application is clearly a stronger step, though it is not absolutely clear whether this signals a complete withdrawal, or a desire to return to the plans at some point in the future.
The statement from Ripon Cathedral continued to express the desire for a ‘Cathedral Quarter’, “While the need for the facilities which the proposed new building would deliver grows ever more urgent, we believe, as we always have, that our development must be part of a wider agreed plan for the city. This includes creating a ‘Cathedral Quarter’, which would deliver wider benefits to the city and county.”
Decision cautiously welcomed
Campaigners against the annexe plans cautiously welcomed the news today, but noted that the Cathedral choosing to withdraw the application was not the same as the application being rejected, and were concerned that this announcement was simply a strategic move by the developer to ‘reset the clock’.
A spokesperson for the Save Our Trees campaign team said, “This announcement today of Ripon Cathedral withdrawing their application is very welcome indeed. It is a vindication for campaigners who have tirelessly fought for the past two years to protect the local park against a large development and developer.
“In a sense, it is unfortunate that the proposal has not been rejected by the council, but has been withdrawn by the applicant, which avoids the scrutiny and judgment of the planning councillors. We hope that this does not mean a renewed attempt once the media spotlight moves on.
“We cautiously welcome the further development and amendment of the plans, but also note that this move might simply be an attempt to render the large, significant petition invalid.
“We hope, instead, that this signals a genuine commitment for the Cathedral to work more closely with the City of Ripon and to listen to the local community. We would not like to be back here in a year’s time.”
Preservation of a much-loved area
Campaigners remain perplexed over the stated “urgent need” of these plans, but the lack of urgency in placing them before the planning committee.
Jenni Holman, who organised the paper petition against the annexe plans, told Yorkshire Bylines:
“I am delighted to hear that Ripon Cathedral has decided to withdraw its plans for a new annexe on Kirkgate Park (Minster Gardens), a cherished public space. I have consistently maintained that the dean and chapter can meet the cathedral’s needs without destroying this much-loved area, which was to include felling several trees, some of which are nearing 200 years of age.
“Whilst I have always acknowledged the need for new facilities, the extravagant nature of the original proposal includes a number of things which could be housed elsewhere, the obvious alternative is to use the Stonemasons Yard, while building much needed upgraded toilets where the toilets already exist.
“It is a travesty that it took two years for this decision to be reached, a period during which significant tension was created within the community. The outpouring of opposition, which includes numerous individual objections and a petition with nearly 3,000 signatures, clearly indicates the strength of local sentiment.
“As new plans are considered, I hope the dean and chapter will carefully consider the views of the public. I wish the cathedral all the best in its ongoing efforts to serve as a vital and valuable asset to the city of Ripon.”
Not the final chapter?
The concern that this announcement would not be the final chapter of this application, but more of another pause, was hinted at strongly by the Very Reverend John Dobson, when he was quoted today:
“We are very grateful to all our supporters”, added the dean. “Don’t lose heart. This is not about stopping this, it’s about helping it move forward.”
The cathedral’s statement today concluded with a slightly jarring request for North Yorkshire Council and Ripon City Council to share their ideas as to how the Cathedral Quarter will be developed, suggesting, through the use of the word “will”, that this withdrawal of the application is only a temporary one.
“We now look to work constructively with North Yorkshire Council and Ripon City Council on how the essential needs of the cathedral can be met and will be asking them to share their vision for how the Cathedral Quarter will be developed.”
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