THE controversial multi-million pound plans to open up Chester Cathedral to the city centre were last night unanimously rejected by councillors from across Cheshire West and Chester.

Loud applause and cheers from objectors in the public seats at HQ greeted the refusal of the planning application, put forward by Chester Renaissance, despite a personal plea by the Dean of Chester, the Very Rev Professor Gordon McPhate.Š

Urging the borough's planning committee to approve the application he insisted it would be an overall benefit to the cathedral and to the city.

Prof McPhate said the plans met the cathedral's mission to offer a welcome to all.

But they were bluntly criticised by Winsford councillor Don Beckett, Labour's planning spokesman, who commented:"Spending £2.5m at this time is criminal."

Ellesmere Port councillor Keith Butcher (Lab) suggested the scheme was "a curate's egg."

"Parts one would welcome, other parts are inappropriate," he believed.

Area planning manager Mark Lynch told the committee the development had the support of bodies including English Heritage, the cathedral's Fabric Advisory Committee, conservation specialists and the cathedral chapter.

But a report pointed out:"There has been a great amount of fervid opposition received to the principle of the creation of the cathedral square and the replacement of the grassed area with hardstanding."

Objector Mr Richard Cole argued the report gave "great weight" to English Heritage's 'support' for the scheme but suggested this only applied to the principle of creating a cathedral square in the city.

"The Civic Trust support this principle, we all support improving the area," he commented.

Mr Cole pointed out, however:"English Heritage neither support nor oppose the details of this application" but had recommended it should be decided "in accordance with policy and on the basis of conservation advice".

Chester Civic Trust objected as it felt the proposals "lacked a feel for the city and sensitivity to local character".

Traffic and parking in the scheme and a proposed marked carriageway at the cathedral's west entrance were "fatal flaws in the creation of a square."

The trust believed the war memorial would be "stranded" said Mr Cole and it would be vulnerable to antisocial behaviour.

Closing the access to Bell Tower Walk would also risk antisocial behaviour.

He argued conservation officers, the Conservation Area Advisory Committee and landscape specialists at the council had put forward concerns ranging from the York stone to be used in the scheme to the trees in planters.

"Isn't that the entire proposal?" he asked.

Mr Cole said there had been almost 160 objections to the scheme and just eight letters of support.

Nobody had the courage to say the scheme would increase cathedral visitor numbers, only that it should.

He concluded:"The cathedral hoped the scheme would engage the wider community but it has done more to alienate them from the people of Chester than anything in recent history."

The Dean told councillors the scheme would remove barriers between the cathedral and the city and argued the loss of grass at the war memorial would be balanced by new green space elsewhere.

Improved security at the bell tower end of the scheme would reduce antisocial behaviour.

He argued there had been "extensive consultation" and pointed out the project had been developed over a five year period.

This had involved dialogue with bodies such as English Heritage and the fabric advisory committee.

For Chester Renaissance, Mr Jack Pickett argued the trees to be removed would improve the vista of the cathedral from St Werburgh Street and the overall number of trees would increase.

"This is a facelift but what the patient really needs is a heart transplant," suggested city centre councillor Samantha Dixon (Lab).

The application had subjected the congregation and the cathedral to a great deal of controversy and the plans were "overwhelmingly" opposed by local residents".

"This is not the best way to solve the cathedral's problems," she suggested.

Cllr Dixon said there were concerns about what would happen in the new square and insisted:"The public does not support such an extravagant project."

There was no evidence it would contribute to the local economy.

It was important the scheme should have the support of the public she believed and it should be reviewed in the light of the One City plan.

"The council has to start listening," she concluded to applause.

Her comment was backed by an interruption from the public gallery when a resident insisted:"You must listen to people, they do not like this scheme at all."

Cllr Norman Wright (Con) felt it would be "an absolute shame" to remove the green space from the war memorial and suggested it would be "asking for trouble in the future."

Cllr Butcher agreed the proposed York stone paving "will be an invitation to vandals and graffiti artists."

"Unfortunately the public have not taken up the proposal, that is essential," he commented.

The open space "would serve as a magnet for antisocial behaviour that we will all regret and find it very difficult to cope with."

Newton councillor Adrian Walmsley (Con) had "a number of issues" although many aspects of the scheme were to be welcomed.

These included removing the barrier between the cathedral and the city but "people are very concerned about removing the greenery from around the war memorial and I think that has to be changed."

"This application is going to have to come before us again," he said.

After Cllr David Armstrong (Lab) had moved refusal on the basis the application "is unacceptable to the people of Chester" chairman Cllr Ralph Oultram said that although he welcomed aspects of the scheme he would support refusal.

"That is disappointing but there should have been more dialogue along the way," he said.

After a short adjournment to allow development planning manager Miss Fiona Edwards to consider policies which could be put forward to refuse the application, which had been recommended for approval, the Dean was present as the committee voted unanimously against the plans.

Councillors said they were concerned about issues including the loss of green space at the war memorial and the effect on the city centre conservation area.

BLOB The resubmitted application was the first phase of a larger multi million pound project at the cathedral.

Representations poured in to planning officers, the majority of which were said to object although some supported the plans.

Ahead of the planning committee meeting the green space around the war memorial was said to be valued by Cestrians and visitors alike as an area of rest and relaxation.

Its loss would be "tragic" objectors believed.

The alterations would "destroy" the green setting of the cathedral, it was claimed.

Supporters believed the plans would enhance the Cathedral Quarter experience and open up and improve views of the historic building.

The application "would result in a more dignified and elegant square in the heart of Chester for everyone to enjoy," they argued.

The Civic Trust felt concerns about the original plans had not been resolved, although there had been some improvements.

It believed the scheme was still “fatally undermined" by having to accept traffic and parking in St Werburgh Street.

The Dean told the council the planning application "is the culmination of years of hard work and planning undertaken by the cathedral and the council".

"The cathedral is wholeheartedly supportive of this application and we believe that the proposal represents a carefully considered approach that will not only benefit the cathedral but the city as a whole," he said.

The Mercian Regiment, whose 1st Battalion has succeeded the Cheshire Regiment, offered full support for the proposals so far as they affected the Cheshire Regiment memorial garden.

A report described the cathedral as one of the key attractions in the city centre but it failed to maximise its potential as it was separated from St Werburgh Street by railings.

Recommending permission, subject to 16 conditions, planning officers said the application would create a new cathedral square along St Werburgh Street by opening out the cathedral grounds.

There would be improved public access to the regimental garden and the city walls.