More attractive public spaces and a dedicated café – York Minster to unveil ‘masterplan’

York Minster is planning significant changes to the land and buildings around the cathedral – and it wants your feedback.

A new masterplan for the Minster precinct – the 15-acre area around the church – will be unveiled on Friday (May 25).

The precinct includes:

• the Old Palace Library and Archive
• the Minster School
• the stoneyard
• homes for the Minster’s clergy team
• office accommodation
• and Dean’s Park.

The Dean of York, the Very Reverend Dr Vivienne Faull, said the vision for change was at an early stage. She said:

We know that there is an extended, global community of people who are passionate about York Minster – worshippers, people who live and work in the city of York and the region, visitors, local businesses and many, many more.

We are at the very early stage and want everyone to have their say.

We want to hear their responses to our vision and learn what is important to them. We also want them to contribute their thoughts, ideas and suggestions for how the precinct might evolve in the future.

The plan must reflect the needs of our community and visitors.

The key issues

Minster authorities say the challenges of managing this space are growing. They have identified these key issues:

• ongoing conservation and restoration of some precinct buildings
• better use of the available spaces for offices and residential use
• opening up the precinct to create more attractive public spaces
• improving facilities at the Minster School
• addressing the use of buildings such as St William’s College and the Old Palace
• the lack of key facilities such as a dedicated café
• how to make Dean’s Park a vibrant open space at the heart the city
• the future environmental and economic sustainability of the precinct.

“Our vision for the future will respect, enhance and protect more than 2,000 years of human history, worship and activity on this ancient site,” Dean Faull said.

“It will also provide the blueprint for sustainable development that will meet the needs of current and future generations of worshippers, residents, workers, volunteers and visitors to the Minster.”