Plans for a multi-million pound expansion of Carlisle Cathedral’s Fratry building are set for approval.

Planning officers at Carlisle City Council have recommended councillors approve plans to breathe new life into the little-used medieval building. City councillors will vote on whether to give the plans the go-ahead on Friday.

Carlisle Cathedral wants to build a pavilion in front and to the right side of the Fratry, on what is now a grass area. The pavilion would house a café, kitchen and toilets and offer views of the surrounding cathedral buildings through large, arch shaped windows.

A link building would join the new pavilion to the north-west corner of the Fratry. The link building would create a new, easy access entrance to the 15th century building. At the moment the Fratry building, which was the monastic refectory, can only be accessed by stairs.

The £3.25m Carlisle Fratry project would also see the Fratry building itself refurbished and equipped to boost the cathedral’s school and community links.

In the planning officer’s report, he said: “In overall terms, it is considered that the benefits of the proposal would outweigh the harm to the Fratry building, which would not be significant.

“The proposal would not have an adverse impact on the setting of any listed buildings, on the character of the City Centre Conservation Area, on buried archaeology or on any protected species.”

Two letters objecting to the plans raised these concerns:

The pavilion centrally placed in the space would obstruct views to the buildings and would destroy the quality of the space;

Whilst greater access to the Fratry is desirable and the requirement for a café is understood there are alternative solutions and this proposal is too high a price to pay;

The suitability of a 21st Century extension on an historic building;

The reduction of the pedestrian area;

The design and materials are unsympathetic to the cathedral and the surrounding area.

A letter in support was also received which made the following points:

  • Very few people have visited the Fratry which is a shame as it is an important building
  • The project will benefit locals and increase visitor numbers as it could be a major tourist attraction
  • The previous design for the new building was strongly criticised but the present proposal which will now house the café as well as providing access to the Fratry is a big improvement and probably as good as it will get.

The Fratry was awarded a Heritage Lottery Fund grant towards its development of the link building and activity programme. A further grant application for £1.8 million is expected to be made in November, subject to planning approval.

Construction could begin by late summer or early autumn next year. It is expected to take about 12 months to complete.