Voters back ambitious York Minster plans in unique referendum
York Minster’s ambitious plans have been backed by local residents.
Its proposals for the area around the cathedral have won overwhelming support in a vote last week.
People living within the Minster Precinct Neighbourhood Area voted on the following proposal:
| Do you want the City of York Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Minster Precinct to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area? | ||
|---|---|---|
| Votes | Percentage | |
| YES | 137 | 83% |
| NO | 28 | 17% |
- Electorate: 773
- Ballot Papers Counted: 166
- Turnout : 21.47%
- Spoiled papers: 1
The Minster says this vote will carry “significant weight in the determination of future planning applications within the designated precinct”.
And the neighbourhood plan will provide a create a sustainable future for the Minster and its seven-hectare estate over the next 15 years.
A UK first
Alex McCallion, director of works & precinct at York Minster, said: “This is the first time a neighbourhood plan, prepared by the York Minster neighbourhood forum, has been used to map the future care of a cathedral or heritage estate.
“It sets out an ambitious masterplan to sustain and enhance the cultural significance and environmental value of York Minster’s Precinct and its buildings through specially created planning policy.
Trending
“The neighbourhood plan is crucial in not only meeting the ongoing restoration challenges we face but ensuring the Minster and its precinct continue to flourish for generations to come.
“Sustainability sits at the heart of its aims for the next 15 years, specifically around three core strands of environmental, financial and heritage craft.”
Significantly, the neighbourhood plan will allow the Chapter of York to bring forward ground-breaking changes within a heritage estate at the York Minster Precinct.
Key projects include the Centre of Excellence for Heritage Craft Skills and Estate Management, the creation of new visitor facilities, a new public square and enhanced public realm and green spaces as well as a new discovery and learning centre, and museum.
Alex added: “The approach to our Neighbourhood Plan has been truly community led and will inspire others to follow as we become an exemplar for how heritage estates address not only their own futures but the wider challenges that they face, such as climate change.
“It is also enabling residents and those who work within the Minster Precinct to have a positive role in shaping the future of the area in which they live and work.”