5.3.4 Ruined Cathedral

CONSERVATION FRAMEWORK

5.3.4 RUINED CATHEDRAL

See also:

5.3.5 New cathedral

5.3.6 Repair, maintenance and conservation

5.3.12 Landscape and setting HERITAGE CONSIDERATIONS

The ruins of St Michael’s Cathedral are an important reminder of the pre-1940s architecture of Coventry. In the 1950s the Restoration Committee and the architect Spence made a conscious decision to retain St Michael’s as a ruin open to the elements, as a memorial landscape and place for reflection.

The building should continue to be managed in line with conservation best practice for ancient ruins, and as an archaeological structure of national heritage value commensurate with that of a scheduled monument. A strategy for the managed decline of the ruin will be necessary to ensure that conservation and repairs are carried out, whilst acknowledging that renewal or restoration may not be suitable, or necessary and that there will inevitably by some loss of fabric as the place continues to weather and erode over time.

Whilst it is acknowledged that the ruin should remain as such, this does not preclude its use as an important part of religious activity or secular events. A wide variety of uses are possible but consideration should be given to potential damage such use might incur - the loading from heavy vehicles for example. VULNERABILITIES AND CONFLICTS

The ruined cathedral (including the ruined nave, the complete tower and several intact crypt spaces) is physically vulnerable. As this building is a largely a ruin, the issue of constant and accelerated weathering and erosion of fabric is unavoidable but still ultimately harmful. Fine structural elements and monuments that were intended to be internal are now subject to greater weathering. The appropriate level of intervention will slow the rate of decay without appearing to `restore’ the building.

High-quality spaces such as Bishop Haigh Chapel and the Cappers Room are used for ad hoc storage which is highly detrimental to their significance.

Tours of the tower are only available during limited opening hours and accessibility is an issue. There is a small shop in the tower which conflicts with the tower’s significance.

Other spaces such as the Blitz experience offer a good visitor experience but are only open to school groups.

CONSERVATION FRAMEWORK

POTENTIAL FOR CHANGE

The potential for change within the ruined cathedral relates largely to its increased use as a key religious and visitor space. This increased use must rely on an understanding of viability, market need and the impact on significance. There are great opportunities to create a space central to the worshipping life of Coventry, as well as a high-quality landscaped space for visitors. As part of a business plan, thought could be given to the question of temporary roofing of the nave.

Improvements needed within the space include more coordinated approaches to signage, lighting, interpretation, furniture and artworks.

To support use of the ruined interior and to better reveal significance, there is great potential for the ancillary chapel spaces to be brought back into appropriate uses.

Following on from the scoping exercise on the long-term development masterplan (A Different View, August 2019), the shop in the tower has been identified as one area requiring improvement. Access and use of the chapels are also mentioned as a priority. MANAGEMENT POLICIES

POLICY 08: A strategy of conservation-led, long-term managed decline should be implemented for the ruined cathedral.

POLICY 09: The ruined cathedral should be viewed not as an individual entity, but as a vital and connected part of the Cathedral as a whole, fulfilling many of the same functions in different ways.

POLICY 10: A holistic review of the landscape within the ruined cathedral should be carried out to improve the public space.

POLICY 11: Initial recommendations for new uses for spaces across the Cathedral (including the ruined cathedral) should be tested to provide new facilities where required and enhance significance.

POLICY 12: Activities and use of space within the ruined cathedral should be assessed as part of a wider business plan to holistically understand need, impact and opportunity. PRIORITY ACTIONS

Action

Seek ways of altering perceptions of the ruined cathedral as separate from the new cathedral, for example providing interpretation boards showing them as integrated.

Commission a business plan for the ruined cathedral to assess the viability and impact of existing and proposed activities.

Periodically review the long-term repair and maintenance schedule for the ruined cathedral.

Simplify the presentation of the internal area of the ruined cathedral to remove the present clutter and to enhance the ‘sense of place’

Generally, improve interpretation across the site, including areas not readily accessible to visitors Priority level Owner

B Interpretation manager

B Chapter

B Cathedral architect

C Chapter and FAC

B Interpretation manager

Priority levels: A – within 6 months, B – within 1 year, C – within 2 years