Demonstration against Chester Cathedral revamp plans

Oct 20 2011 by David Holmes, Chester Chronicle

OPPONENTS of a £3m scheme to replace the Chester Cathedral memorial garden with Yorkstone are demonstrating there at midday on Saturday.

Organiser Gordon Emery from Gladstone Road says the protest plan formed among like-minded pals who drink in Chester’s Albion pub every Thursday.

Everyone opposed to the Cheshire West and Chester Council project is invited come along and bring placards with suggested slogans such as ‘Keep off the grass’.

Mr Emery, who is supported by former Labour MP Christine Russell, said: “I have not met one single person who believes the grass should be taken up on the south side of the cathedral and the trees taken out.

“If they take out the trees and the lawns we will never get them back again and it will ruin that part of Chester.

“I cannot see why taxpayers’ money is being spent on ruining areas. It’s a typical English look in the middle of Chester.”

Mr Emery, a local historian who has written five books, says there are some good ideas in the planning application such as improving Belltower Walk.

“Some things could be done to the cathedral and the gardens that could improve them,” he added.

But he says the current plans create ‘a concrete jungle’ which flies in the face of the ‘enormous’ local opposition.