The design and access statement, submitted by the cathedral in December 2022, said: “Cathedral Refectory: for this to be a financially viable part of the cathedral business plan it needs to be a certain size, to accommodate a coach party, and be very close to the cathedral. At a Ripon City Council meeting in February, the Dean of Ripon Rev John Dobson, said he believes the proposals will “deliver more business” for businesses in Ripon. However, Mr Mackintosh told the LDRS that the cathedral’s own design and access statement confirms the scheme will damage livelihoods. Ripon Cathedral’s responseA Ripon Cathedral spokesperson told the LDRS that the design and access statement that refers to the refectory would be updated to “ensure it’s much clearer”. Ripon Cathedral exists to serve the people of the city, the Diocese of Leeds, and the wider region.

Source: The Times October 23, 2023 03:02 UTC