Cathedral objects to Arundells plan

11:38am Wednesday 22nd February 2012 in News By Morwenna Blake

SALISBURY Cathedral has lodged a last minute objection to the re-opening of Arundells.

The Cathedral Close home of former Prime Minister Sir Edward Heath could open to the public within weeks if planning permission is granted, and Wiltshire Council has received 144 letters in support of the move.

But now representatives of the cathedral have added its weight to the nine objectors to the scheme, its objection letter being registered with the council on February 17, eight days after the end of the consultation period.

Its objection letter states the application could damage the character of the Close by “reinforcing the element of commerciality”, and create additional visitor pressure, “negatively affecting and disrupting residents.”

The cathedral itself receives about 300,000 visitors a year.

Tony Burnside from pressure group the Friends of Arundells said: “It is most unfortunate that the cathedral has attempted to torpedo this planning application at the last moment.

“We had hoped to work closely with the cathedral to promote music scholarships and many workers and visitors to the cathedral will be dismayed by this action.”

The Georgian mansion was opened to the public following Sir Edward’s death in 2005 and houses significant works of art as well as memorabilia relating to his life and his interest in sailing and music.

But it has been at the centre of a heated disagreement since its trustees announced in February 2010 they planned to sell it for £6million and to channel the money into supporting Sir Edward’s other charitable interests.

After a long battle spearheaded by the Friends of Arundells, the Charity Commission announced in September last year that it would not grant permission for the sale until other options had been explored.

The trustees have now applied for temporary permission to open it to the public from March to November for a further three years to allow time for a business plan addressing the longer-term financial viability to be prepared.

Wiltshire councillors are due to make a decision on the application before March 1 and a further planning application is expected to be made later this year for permission to hold events such as weddings and concerts at the property.

A spokesman for the cathedral said: “The Cathedral Close is predominantly residential with a living community at its heart and this is something that Chapter wishes to preserve.

"It is proud of the heritage associated with No 59 The Close and is pleased that a blue plaque was unveiled recently to celebrate Sir Edward Heath’s time as part of the Close community.

“Chapter was happy to support the original temporary change of use in deference to its previous owner and his wishes and in the belief that this was to be a limited provision.

“However, it is not comfortable with a move towards a more permanent change from residential use which this second application might suggest.”

Comments(18)

Fran Turner says...
12:41pm Wed 22 Feb 12

I was born and bred in the Salisbury area, and in September I spent a lovely week visiting all the places I had never done as a tourist. This included the Cathedral, Mompesson House and Arundells. I am surprised at the Cathedral objecting to the planning application on the basis that it over commercialises The Close, when they, themselves, charge admission.
Their guides are fantastic and the tours interesting and I urge anyone to to the climb to the base of the spire, but they charge for admittance in order to maintain the building for future generations, I urge them not to attempt to stop Arundells similarly trying to keep the house open for the same reasons.

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UKD003 says...
3:41pm Wed 22 Feb 12

The Cathedral group should be ashamed of themselves for this action. Keeping Arundells open is far from being commercial. It actually is one of the nicer elements of the Close, and the history of the house adds to its uniqueness and should be something for everybody to enjoy.

I question the motives of this group. These people should make themselves known so we can publically question them to why they are doing this.

Arundells is very tastefully presented and is something Salisbury should be proud of.

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nickwhelan says...
4:01pm Wed 22 Feb 12

What utter hypocrisy on behalf of the Church. Commerciality? So no problems with the Refectory, the Shop, holding paying concerts in the Cathderal, then? Arundells is a fine house, a badly needed further attraction for Salisbury in what is a pivotal time for the City as it faces recession for the second time in a decade. Not a very 'Christian' approach to the city's needs.

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hillyanne says...
4:15pm Wed 22 Feb 12

I,too am surprised at this news.In the Close are :-Mompesson House(entrance charge for non N.Trust members ,and cafe in the garden);the "Wardrobe"(entrance charge ,and Berniere's restaurant beside it),S.Wilts. museum(entry charge and Constable exhib. recently(charge) and a cafe/tearoom) and as someone pointed out already; the Cathedral itself which charges entry and has a shop and a restaurant.I don't "get it".
As the Bard wrote;"Chop logic."

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shirleymaple says...
4:36pm Wed 22 Feb 12

I totally agree with all the comments above. How many of these objectors were born and brought up in Salisbury. If Arundells closes the contents will be split up and end up all over the country (if not world) and more of our history will be lost to future generations. Arundells is a lovely house and it is totally unacceptable to think these small minded people can object when they themselves are happy to have concerts in the Close which can be heard all over the city whether we all want to hear it or not. As already stated there are several buildings in the Close which charge so exactly what are these people objecting to? Maybe they would like to publish their names and objections. Are they frightened of competition? The Cathedral is the main tourist attraction in Salisbury so I fail to see how this will make any difference as these are the same people who will combine a visit to Arundells.

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TCanning says...
5:50pm Wed 22 Feb 12

I am very disappointed to hear that the Cathedral is objecting to the re-opening of Arundells. Both buildings are fantastic assets to the city and should work together to attract visitors. Presumably a Jethro Tull concert in the Cathedral last year was not considered an " element of commerciality"?

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UKD003 says...
6:01pm Wed 22 Feb 12

Who are these "people" from the Catherdral who made this decision? They need to show themselves and open themselves up for public scrutiny.

They also need to walk around town and see all the businesses closing down, and realize that Arundells is a treasure, that adds to the draw of the city.

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SidG says...
6:12pm Wed 22 Feb 12

I totally concur with all the above comments,i have been round the cathedral several times and have never and would never pay to enter what is after all one of "God's House's" especially as they also charge what i think is an excessive amount to go up the spire,considering the church of England is in my opinion the richest land owner in the country.

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sarumpete47 says...
6:25pm Wed 22 Feb 12

I totally agree with all of the above comments and I hope the Salisbury Journal will be able to collate these responses and send them to the Leader of the Wiltshire Council.

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Lady Tinky Winky says...
11:36am Thu 23 Feb 12

I too agree and everyone I spoke to does.
The Cathedral is money-obsessed and probably doesn't want anyone to take any of their revenue away.
Do you know for instance if you get married in the Medieval Hall and want your wedding photo taken outside the Cathedral, the Cathedral charges you £100!

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SalisburyCitizen says...
2:37pm Thu 23 Feb 12

The people in question, 'The Chapter' can be found here:

http://www.salisbury
cathedral.org.uk/con
tact.governance.php

Very sad they have made this decision, very hypocritical.

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Lady Tinky Winky says...
6:42pm Thu 23 Feb 12

Thanks for that SalisburyCitizen.

They make for an interesting bunch!

Not in touch with the real world.

Especially the lady whose previous executive roles include that of Finance Director of the London Stock Exchange!

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SalisburyCitizen says...
10:34am Fri 24 Feb 12

Lady Tinky Winky wrote:
Thanks for that SalisburyCitizen.

They make for an interesting bunch!

Not in touch with the real world.

Especially the lady whose previous executive roles include that of Finance Director of the London Stock Exchange!
Most definitely an intersting bunch!

I think my favourite has to be;

Lay Canon - Mrs Eugenie Turton
Mrs Eugenie Turton is a former senior public servant who now works as a Non-Executive Director in the private and charitable sectors.

On the board of the Sir Edward Heath Charitable Foundation!

Fishy fishy...

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karlmarx says...
10:53am Fri 24 Feb 12

A bit rich coming from an establishment that asks for a 'donation' to enter their cathedral. Isn't that a 'commercial enterprise'?

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Rich1e says...
8:11am Sat 25 Feb 12

Well done Salisbury cathedral, let's kill what's left of Salisbury (except the cathedral, of course)!

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Alexander Hamilton says...
5:50pm Tue 28 Feb 12

Not only is it extraordinary that the Cathedral opposed the application to keep Arundells open, but disturbingly it failed to declare a major potential financial interest. Music in the Cathedral was specifically mentioned by the Heath Trustees - chaired by Lord Armstrong, who wants to sell the house - on their website last year (but now taken down) as one of three likely beneficiaries from sale of the property. Assuming that the sale of Arundells and its contents raised over £7 million, as most people think, the Cathedral would be lined up to receive a very tidy sum indeed. Their failure to declare this linkage in their letter to Wiltshire Council is something that journalists your newspaper should definitely follow up...

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Lady Tinky Winky says...
6:34pm Tue 28 Feb 12

And I thought it was only bankers and politicians were like that!

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nickwhelan says...
8:25am Wed 29 Feb 12

Morwenna-any chance of a response from the Dean et al in tomorrow's Journal? I think we would all be VERY interested to hear the Chapter's response to the points raised here...

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