LEICESTER CATHEDRAL PLANS "WILL WIPE OUT HISTORY"

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Leicester Cathedral plans "will wipe out history"

Conservation experts say plans to create a square outside a cathedral would remove "everything of historical importance" from the area.

The Diocese of Leicester wants to develop the space around Leicester Cathedral into a public square able to hold concerts for more than 1,000 people.

The project has been recommended for refusal by Leicester's conservation advisory panel, an independent body which advises the city council on planning applications.

Its two main objections centre on the removal of headstones and fears that ancient pathways, such as St Martin's Walk East and West, will be "lost in the proposals".

Richard Gill, chairman of the panel, said: "The headstones are characteristic of the area and some of the examples, I'm told, are originals.

"The walkways are ancient routes and we cannot lose that."

A spokesman from the Leicestershire Archaeological and Historical Society said: "We have some major concerns about these proposals, particularly the loss of headstones and the loss of ancient pathways."

A report of the panel's meeting to consider the plans, which took place last month, reads: "The panel felt that the proposed scheme did not enhance or preserve the area as it was destroying everything that is aesthetically and intrinsically pleasing.

"How can it possibly preserve or enhance the historic environment when everything of historical importance is being swept away?

The panel also voiced concerns that underlying archaeology and burials would be compromised.

The diocese says the headstones would be replaced by an alternative memorial.

The diocese wants to spend £12m on the three-stage project – which involves creating a Cathedral Square, turning the former Leicester Grammar School buildings into St Martin's House for social outreach work and changing the cathedral so it lets in more light.

Earlier this year, the city council indicated it could not help with the £2m needed for Cathedral Square, so the project is believed to be in limbo.

The Ven Richard Atkinson, Archdeacon of Leicester, said: "The diocese is continuing to progress plans for the square.

"We note the observations of the Conservation Panel and believe the emerging plans will provide a public space of high quality that respects the past and opens up the future."

Leicester Civic Society has previously said it has no objections to the plans.

The conservation advisory panel has no powers of determination but about 80% to 90% of its recommendations are agreed by the planning committee's final decision.

The plans also need approval from the Cathedrals' Fabric Commission for England, which is discussing them but is thought to be supportive.