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Minster revamp plans submitted
2:54pm Wednesday 14th May 2008
PLANS to create a stylish new piazza entranceway to York Minster have been submitted to City of York Council.
The Dean and Chapter want to remodel the existing steps to the South Transept entrance, creating gently sloping ramps for disabled access and a new flight of steps, all built with magnesian limestone.
The road in Deangate is also set to be re-modelled and re-paved, and external alterations are being proposed to 7 and 9 Minster Gates, just across the road from the cathedral, to create a shop and ticket office.
The proposals are part of the £19 million Minster Revealed scheme, which was unveiled last year and is part of the £30 million Minster restoration appeal launched three years ago, which aims to restore the Great East Window to its former glory.
The Revealed project also involves a new glass-fronted lift to the undercroft, improved toilets and new digital and computer-generated displays to educate visitors on the cathedral's history, purpose and evolving nature.
Louise Hampson, director of the Minster Revealed project, said the current ticketing booths inside the South Transept and the timber disabled access ramps outside spoiled the approach into the cathedral.
She said the new piazza - based on an ancient gothic symbol - would provide a "wonderful" contrast with the current arrangements, linking the cathedral with the rest of the city.
She assured cyclists bicycle access would be maintained along Deangate despite the revamp, aimed at ridding the area of a sea of tarmac.
The Reverend Canon Jonathan Draper said today: "The creation of the piazza is about two things: most importantly access to the Minster for everyone, and to do that in a way that is attractive and creative.
"The second important element is to create, with our partners in the city council, an important urban space. We are very excited by the design."
The Minster won a £10 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund towards the cost of the work last summer, and councillors also agreed last autumn to contribute £500,000 towards the overhaul of Deangate.
Have your say
Do you approve of the Minster's new look?
Your Say YourPress
Cruddass is a muppett, says...
3:21pm Wed 14 May 08
Jason, says...
3:30pm Wed 14 May 08
The Crack Fox, Coming at you, like a razor says...
3:50pm Wed 14 May 08
lastword morris, Haxby Rd says...
4:00pm Wed 14 May 08
Tom, York says...
4:00pm Wed 14 May 08
Jason wrote:Ha ha - correct. I think I can even see the railings for them to slide along - lots of little Tony Hawks hanging around all day (and night) - perfect for one of Europe's greatest cathedrals.
What a great idea, a new skate park for the youngsters of York, big up the church...
X, At Work says...
4:25pm Wed 14 May 08
Tom wrote:all we need to do is electrify them after 6pm... that will sort the little scroats out
Jason wrote: What a great idea, a new skate park for the youngsters of York, big up the church...Ha ha - correct. I think I can even see the railings for them to slide along - lots of little Tony Hawks hanging around all day (and night) - perfect for one of Europe's greatest cathedrals.
YORKIE, york says...
4:47pm Wed 14 May 08
If someone in a wheelchair wants to get in then just have a set of wooden ramps inside the door to get them up the existing steps. It's that easy. Not a hairbrained and totally financially wasteful idea like this. Some peoples mentality is just beyond me.
Verdand, York says...
4:59pm Wed 14 May 08
Lamplighter, says...
5:11pm Wed 14 May 08
YORKIE wrote:What is wrong with you people? I mean, do you really care, or do you just like to moan? When was the last time you visited the Minster?
In these days of PC correctness we cater far too much for disabled access with stupid things like this which will make this doorway entrance totally out of place! If someone in a wheelchair wants to get in then just have a set of wooden ramps inside the door to get them up the existing steps. It's that easy. Not a hairbrained and totally financially wasteful idea like this. Some peoples mentality is just beyond me.
Cruddass is a muppett, says...
5:14pm Wed 14 May 08
Lamplighter wrote:I was there today actually. And I do really care. i think this would look out of place and ridiculous. Whats the next plans for York going to be? An elevator on Cliffords Tower steps? Stone Cladding the Bar Walls?
YORKIE wrote: In these days of PC correctness we cater far too much for disabled access with stupid things like this which will make this doorway entrance totally out of place! If someone in a wheelchair wants to get in then just have a set of wooden ramps inside the door to get them up the existing steps. It's that easy. Not a hairbrained and totally financially wasteful idea like this. Some peoples mentality is just beyond me.What is wrong with you people? I mean, do you really care, or do you just like to moan? When was the last time you visited the Minster?
drs1706, York says...
5:17pm Wed 14 May 08
The ramp and step proposal is nicely proportioned and symmetrical on the elevation, the piazza creating a more people friendly space.
Removing the clutter from the South Transept will give the visitor an excellent first view of the inside instead of queues of people and chaos as there is at the moment.
As most of the undercroft that is being made accessible to wheelchair and ambulant disabled persons was radically altered when the tower was underpinned, the addition of access for all is a minor alteration for the greater good of interested parties.
If you have a problem with the ammont of money being spent on the scheme, DONT BUY A LOTTERY TICKET...
petethefeet, York says...
6:05pm Wed 14 May 08
ake.
Petergate, York says...
6:22pm Wed 14 May 08
The expanse of roadway and tarmac outside make the Minster feel crowded in and cut off: new paving will give it a better setting, room to breathe and a greater connection to the foot streets.
We live in a magnificent city, but its beauty isn't accidental, and doesn't happen by chance. Considered schemes like this contribute to the city's appeal and accessibility without compromising its authenticity. Despite the doubters, I think we shall all feel proud when these improvements are complete.
Cruddass is a muppett, says...
6:56pm Wed 14 May 08
drs1706 wrote:I am a great fan of money being put into the Minster, for RESTORATION, not to make it look completeley different to how it was originally designed.
I am sorry to hear that you all think the Minster does not deserve this fresh new approach to the entrance to the largest gothic cathedral in Northern Europe. The ramp and step proposal is nicely proportioned and symmetrical on the elevation, the piazza creating a more people friendly space. Removing the clutter from the South Transept will give the visitor an excellent first view of the inside instead of queues of people and chaos as there is at the moment. As most of the undercroft that is being made accessible to wheelchair and ambulant disabled persons was radically altered when the tower was underpinned, the addition of access for all is a minor alteration for the greater good of interested parties. If you have a problem with the ammont of money being spent on the scheme, DONT BUY A LOTTERY TICKET...
Next they will be having hideous light shows on it all in the name of publicity...oh wait a minute...!!
Milton, York says...
8:53am Thu 15 May 08
Its better than the current ramp which is wooden, and definitely better than the lorries and cars that used to go rumbling past all the time!
Cynic, York says...
8:53am Thu 15 May 08
I am a great fan of money being put into the Minster, for RESTORATION, not to make it look completeley different to how it was originally designed.It wasn't 'originally designed'. If you look, you will see that it is a mixture of architectural styles and evolved over several centuries.
Paul Hepworth, York says...
9:09am Thu 15 May 08
If CoYC planners are persuaded that delineration should be more apparent to all users of the area, perhaps the carriagway could be installed with distinctive coloured pantiles. Additionally, a principle pedestrian crossing place could be similarly delineated, between the South Transept steps and Minster Gates.
This would create the shape of a giant Cross alongside the Minster. What a splendid sight this would be, when viewed from above!
The Crack Fox, Coming at you, like a razor says...
11:28am Thu 15 May 08
Paul Hepworth wrote:Actually It would look supremely tacky, and no-one would use the designated crossing so it would be a massive waste of funds which could be better put to use elsewhere
The Architects seem to have reflected their client's desire for minimum delineation of the east-west carriageway used by cyclists, horse drawn carriages and the occasional authorised motor vehicle. If CoYC planners are persuaded that delineration should be more apparent to all users of the area, perhaps the carriagway could be installed with distinctive coloured pantiles. Additionally, a principle pedestrian crossing place could be similarly delineated, between the South Transept steps and Minster Gates. This would create the shape of a giant Cross alongside the Minster. What a splendid sight this would be, when viewed from above!
Fox, York says...
12:14pm Thu 15 May 08
not to make it look completeley different to how it was originally designed.
I don't think the Minster was originally designed with a Tarmac road in front of it either!
Surely this improvement is better than the temporary hoardings used at present?
AdmiralN, York Centre says...
2:25pm Thu 15 May 08
Good Job!
comment, Leeds says...
11:35pm Thu 15 May 08
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An artist's illustration of how the new Minster entrance would look
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Tom, York says...
3:06pm Wed 14 May 08