Permission granted for Church House conversion at York Minster

Plans to change the use of Church House at York Minster Precinct from office to residential accommodation have been approved.

Following the decision by City of York Council’s planning committee, Church House, at 10-14 Ogleforth, will be converted into 11 apartments.

As part of the approved planning conditions, York Minster has committed to ensuring that a proportion of the apartments will be offered as affordable accommodation through the Government’s Build to Rent scheme.

Income generated from the apartments, which will all be offered as rental accommodation, will be used for the ongoing care of the Minster, including the restoration of the cathedral’s precious medieval stained glass windows.

Church House was previously used as the principal offices for the Chapter of York, the governing body of York Minster. The Chapter is set to relocate to St William’s College at the Precinct, which has previously secured planning permission and listed building consent for its restoration.

Alex McCallion, Director of Works and Precinct at York Minster, said: “The approval of our plans at Church House is not only good news for York Minster Precinct but also for York itself, as it will deliver much needed affordable housing, secured in perpetuity through the planning process, in the city centre.

“Additionally, income generated from the rental properties will provide an important source of revenue to contribute to the care of the Minster, which costs £22,000 a day to operate.

“Specifically, this will enable work to begin to conserve and protect an at risk thirteenth century stained glass window in the south nave of the Minster for the enjoyment of future generations. We are grateful to City of York Council for its ongoing support.”

Work to convert Church House, including landscaping, bicycle store and a new ramped access boundary wall and gate, is expected to be completed by late summer 2023.

The granting of planning permission follows the recent submission of plans to establish the York Minster Precinct as a world class campus facility for research, education and training in ancient craft skills.

The Centre of Excellence for Heritage Craft Skills and Estate Management will bring benefits including continuing the craft of stonemasonry and encouraging global learning and knowledge sharing, as well as being a shining example of best practice in managing complex heritage estates.

The plans, designed by acclaimed architectural practice Tonkin Liu, have been submitted to City of York Council for the development of two sites – The Heritage Quad and The Works and Technology Hub.

The £5m fully funded project has been made possible through the generous support of the York Minster Fund.

The vision for the Centre of Excellence is a key element of the York Minster Precinct Neighbourhood Plan, which sets out a policy-led approach to creating a sustainable future for the Minster and its seven hectare estate.

The draft Plan has recently been through independent examination and City of York Council’s Executive and will now proceed to a community referendum of all residents on the electoral register within the Minster Precinct Neighbourhood Area on May 10. If passed, it will be adopted by City of York Council as part of the statutory development plan for the city.

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