York Minster scoops prestigious award

York Minster has been recognised in this year’s Royal Town Planning Institute (RPTI) Yorkshire Awards for Planning Excellence

The Minster won Best Plan for its pioneering Neighbourhood Plan, a unique approach to planning policy which seeks to secure the cultural, financial and environmental sustainability of the Minster for generations to come.

In addition, York Minster’s planning partner, Savills, was highly commended for its work on the York Minster Refectory project. Savills helped secure planning permission and listed building consent for the conversion of the former Minster school and creation of the new Minster Gardens in late 2021.

Formally opened by Their Majesties

The King and Queen Consort in April, the brasserie-style restaurant is leased and operated by a team led by Michelin-starred chef, Andrew Pern.

The adoption of the York Minster Neighbourhood Plan by City of York Council last year signified the first time that a Neighbourhood Plan has been used to map the future care of a cathedral or a heritage estate. Its delivery will signal the largest planned period of works at the Minster and its Precinct since the Victorian period.

The Awards for Planning Excellence are widely regarded as the UK’s leading planning awards. York Minster having been recognised by the RTPI signifies not only its commitment to plan making excellence, but also its dedication to making a positive impact on the local economy, community and environment.

The Royal Town Planning Institute is a leading membership organisation and a Chartered Institute responsible for maintaining professional standards in planning and the built environment.

Alex McCallion, director of works and Precinct at York Minster said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have been awarded Best Plan in this year’s RTPI awards. The York Minster Neighbourhood Plan is a truly community led plan that has been born out of over four years of collaboration with a number of key stakeholders and the local community, so to have been recognised by such a prestigious institution for this pioneering approach is a real honour.

“A huge congratulations and thanks also need to be extended to Savills, whose hard work has been instrumental in supporting us in the delivery of the York Minster Refectory, as well as in introducing much-needed accessible public realm through the creation of Minster Gardens.”

Adam Key, planning director at Savills, said: “We are delighted to have worked on a building of this historical significance and to have inputted into a neighbourhood plan which is the first of its kind in the country – the RTPI award is a testament to that. “It has also been a pleasure to help York Minster obtain planning permission and listed building consent for the York Minster Refectory project and creation of new public space.”