York Minster is inviting members of the public to comment on design proposals for a new refectory and public open space on the site of the former Minster School.
The area around the old Minster School will become a public space.
Sustainability, biodiversity and well-being are at heart of the proposals. The plans include a sympathetic renovation of the Grade II listed building at number 2 Deangate to create the York Minster Refectory. The conversion will see the full restoration of the building, including cleaning and repairs to the stonework to reveal previously hidden architectural features. The proposals include important new elements such as the creation of disabled access throughout the building and the installation of solar panels – the first anywhere in the Precinct. Once the permissions for the restoration and conversion of the building have been secured, the Minster will look to partner with a commercial operator to run the refectory on a rental basis.
The hard landscaping will be completely remodelled to make the area accessible and inclusive for the widest possible range of users. The design will link the refectory and the public space, both physically and visually, to the glorious views of the Minster’s South Transept and Quire.
Historic photographs of the front of the school, reveal evidence of extensive planting along the side of the Minster’s Stoneyard and this has been influential in the emerging proposals for the new public space. It will be specifically planned and designed to increase biodiversity in the heart of the city. Plants will be selected for their sensory and healing properties and to provide food for pollinators and habitats for wildlife.
The project is the first to emerge from the York Minster Neighbourhood Plan (YMNP), the community-led planning document which considered how the Minster Precinct will need to evolve to meet the changing needs of its community and visitors up to 2035.
The process of developing a masterplan for the future care of York Minster and its Precinct began in May 2018. Three subsequent public consultations were critical to the development of the draft Neighbourhood Plan with almost 700 comments received over 32 weeks of consultation. The Plan was updated and revised earlier this year, to incorporate the former school estate following its closure last July. A final period of public consultation was held in December 2020 and the Plan was finally submitted to City of York Council in April 2021. Once adopted, it will form part of City of York Council’s planning policy.
Commenting on the proposals, the Dean of York, the Right Revd Dr Jonathan Frost said that dynamic partnership working with the Neighbourhood Forum, local residents and businesses since 2018, has been vital at every stage of the York Minster Neighbourhood Plan. Dean Jonathan said: “The realisation of this first set of project proposals is the result of three years of collaborative community effort and a strong, shared sense of realism about the solutions that will be needed to make the York Minster Precinct viable and sustainable to 2035 and well beyond that date.
“The proposals for this refectory and the public space adjacent to it, respect the Minster and its history and its purpose as a place of worship and welcome. The plans are highly creative and innovative and aim to breathe new life into the building and open spaces in a way that is inclusive, sustainable, economically viable and, which meets the needs of York residents and our visitors.
“I want to encourage as many people as possible to comment on the proposals and help us to make the best decisions for the future of this special corner of the York Minster Precinct.”
Get involved in the public consultation
The public consultation on the design proposals will be available on the York Minster website www.yorkminster.org/about-us/master-planning/ from Friday 21st May until midnight on Sunday 13th June 2021.
The proposals will also be displayed on boards outside the Minster School from Friday 21st May until Sunday 13th June. However due to ongoing pandemic restrictions, comments on the consultation can only be made online and should be emailed to Alex McCallion, Director of Works and Precinctalexm@yorkminster.org
It is disappointing to see that some potholes – many deep enough to pose a hazard for cyclists – are not being filled in quickly by the Council.
Residents were told that an additional pothole filling team would reduce the time taken to deal with this issue, but apparently this isn’t the case.
We hope that the Council is on top of seasonal issues with path side nettles and thorn bushes. These are a hazard for pedestrians. They need to be treated before they obstruct public footpaths
The have been no further hospital deaths recorded today
Test results
Two additional positive test results. Brings cumulative total up to 12,346
The number of cases in the City has fallen from 27 to 26
The rate /100k population shows a small fall to 12.35
Neighbourhoods
Case numbers are low in all York neighbourhoods except for the Fulford Road/Clementhorpe area.
Vaccinations
Tests
4528 PCR tests were conducted during the week ending 16th May 2021.
Of these, 0.5% were positive. This is the same proportion as was found on the previous day
In addition 2804 “lateral flow” tests were also conducted on 20th May
Hospital
No change today to COVID-19 inpatient cases numbers at the local hospital
Council commentary updated
The data is accurate as at 8.00 a.m. on Friday 21.05.21. Some narrative for the data covering the latest period is provided here below:
People with Covid Symptoms
• NHS Pathways/111 triages – as at 17.5.21 there had been 60 total covid triages in the CYC area in the last 7 days. The peak number of triages was 653 in the 7 day period to 20.9.20.
• As at 20.5.21, the Covid Symptom App estimates 20 per 100,000 in York with symptomatic covid (responses from a sample of 4,060 people). The peak rate was 1,283 on 7.1.21.
Diagnosed cases
• As at 20.5.21 York has had 12,344 cases since the start of the pandemic, a rate of 5,861 per 100,000 of population. The cumulative rate in York is below the national (6,911) and regional (7,255) averages. Cases identified through Lateral Flow Tests will be removed if they have a negative follow up PCR test within 72 hours so the cumulative total of cases can, on occasions, go down.
• The PHE ‘Exceedance’ rating compares the no. of new cases over a 14 day period with the previous 6 weeks and provides a RAG rating to indicate if the previously observed trend in the number of new cases is worsening. The latest rating for York (17.5.21) is Green. In recent weeks the number of cases have been low in York which has an effect on the thresholds used to determine the RAG rating – a small change can mean the difference between a red, amber and green rating.
• The provisional rate of new Covid cases per 100,000 of population for the period 12.5.21 to 18.5.21 in York is 11.9 (25 cases). (Using data published on Gov.uk on 20.5.21).
• The latest official “validated” rate of new Covid cases per 100,000 of population for the period 9.5.21 to 15.5.21 in York was 12.8 (27 cases). The national and regional averages at this date were 21 and 34.7 respectively (using data published on Gov.uk on 20.5.21).
• York is currently ranked 49th out of 149 Upper Tier Local Authorities (UTLAs) in England with a rank of 1 indicating the lowest 7 day rate.
• For the 7 day period 8.5.21.to 14.5.21, there were no statistically significant changes in ward rates compared with the 7 day period 1.5.21 to 7.5.21. The number of cases in each ward varied from 0 to 6 and rates varied from 0 to 55.5 per 100,000. 8 wards had zero cases.
• The rate of new Covid cases per 100,000 of population for the period 9.5.21 to 15.5.21 for people aged 60+ in York was 2.0 (1 case). The national and regional averages were 6.0 and 7.2 respectively.
• As at 18.5.21, the latest 7 day positivity rate in York (Pillar 2 PCR tests only) was 0.67%. The national and regional averages are 1.1% and 2.0% respectively.
• As at 18.5.21 the latest 7 day positivity rate in York (Pillar 2 Lateral Flow Tests only) was 0.07%. The national and regional averages are 0.1% and 0.2% respectively.
• As at 18.5.21 the latest 7 day positivity rate in York (Pillar 1 tests only) was 0.1%. The national average is 0.3%.
• As at 10.5.21 York University reported 1 individual within the University community who was currently self-isolating because they have had a positive COVID-19 test. The peak number was 331 on the 19.10.20.
• As at 17.5.21 York St. John reported 0 individuals within the University community who were currently self-isolating because they have had a positive COVID-19 test. The peak number was 82 on the 8.10.20.
Contact Tracing
• Local Contact Tracing. Between 10.3.21 and 14.5.21, 213 referrals had been actioned by the local contact tracing service. Of the referrals actioned, 196 (92%) were successful and 17 (8%) were unable to be reached via phone or home visit, but guidance leaflets were posted where possible. (NB on the 10.3.21 the local CYC team became responsible for contacting all cases rather than just those that the national team could not contact).
Cases in Residential Care Settings
• As at 20.5.21 there were 0 care homes in the CYC area with confirmed Covid-19 infection (at least 1 case of either a staff member or resident).
• The latest ‘outbreak’ (2+ cases) in a residential care setting in York were reported by PHE on 25.2.21 (1 home).
Cases amongst School Aged Children
• In the 7 days up to 17.5.21 there were 6 children of primary or secondary school age who tested positive (across 4 different schools).
COVID Bed Occupancy in York Hospital
• As at 18.5.21 there was 1 confirmed Covid-19 patient in a General and Acute bed. The peak number was 157 on 19.1.21.
• As at 18.5.21 there were 0 confirmed Covid-19 patients and 0 suspected Covid-19 patients in the Intensive Treatment Unit. The peak number for people in ITU was 19 on 10.5.20.
• As at 18.5.21 there had been 0 patients admitted with suspected Covid-19, 0 admitted with confirmed Covid-19 and 1 confirmed patient discharged with COVID-19 in the previous 24 hours.
R Number
• The ‘R’ value (the number of people that one infected person will pass on a virus to, on average) for the North East and Yorkshire area on 14.5.21 was estimated to be in the range 0.8 to 1.0. The previous estimate was (0.7 to 1.0) on 7.5.21.
Total Vaccinations
• As at 19.5.21 a total of 111,909 CYC residents have had the first dose of the vaccine. This represents 53.1% of the estimated total population of York and 64.3% of the estimated adult (18+) population of York.
• As at 19.5.21 a total of 62,381 CYC residents have had both doses of the vaccine. This represents 29.6% of the estimated total population of York and 35.9% of the estimated adult (18+) population of York.
Deaths
The two sources about deaths from Covid-19 at LA level are ONS data and local registrar data. They are derived from the same source (civil registration data). ONS data is more comprehensive as it includes deaths of York residents which have occurred and been registered outside York. Local registrar data provides a breakdown by age and gender. The most recently available data is summarised below:
• ONS Weekly data: In the most recent period (Week 18: 1.5.21 to 7.5.21) 0 Covid-19 deaths were recorded as having occurred for CYC residents. In weeks 15, 16 and 17 there had been 2, 0 and 1 deaths respectively.
• ONS Cumulative data: Since the start of the pandemic, for deaths occurring up to 1st May 2021 and registered up to 15th May 2021, 396 Covid-19 deaths were recorded as having occurred for CYC residents (228 in hospital, 135 in care homes, 25 at home/elsewhere and 8 in a hospice). The number of deaths per 100,000 of population in York is 188.02 which is lower than the national average of 231.84.
• Age / Gender breakdown (using registrar data): The average age of the CYC residents who died was 82.1, with an age range of 44-104. The age profile of the CYC residents who have died is older than the national average (79.5% were aged 75+ compared with 73% nationally). 47.9% of the CYC residents who died were male. The national average is 54.4%.
Weekend security
Partners support city’s first weekend in Step 3
Officers from the Safer York Partnership will be helping support the city enjoy the first weekend after latest lockdown easing.
City of York Council, York BID, North Yorkshire Police and British Transport Police will be checking that people and businesses are complying with the remaining covid restrictions. These include premises following the rule of 6 indoors, that tables are spaced and customers are giving track and trace details.
The officers, including the council’s covid support marshalls, environmental health and neighbourhood enforcement officers, will be asking businesses to encourage workers to be tested regularly and take up vaccinations when offered. They’ll also be reminding them that action will be taken against open breaches of covid regulations, as has been demonstrated recently.
Superintendent Mike Walker, who is leading North Yorkshire Police’s response to the pandemic, said:
“It’s set to be a much busier time in York this weekend now that the restrictions on indoor hospitality and overnight stays, in particular, have been eased as part of the Government’s Roadmap Out of Lockdown.
“Our officers and staff will be on hand to provide a highly visible and reassuring presence. They will also be working alongside City of York Council teams and other partners to ensure the reopening of pubs and restaurants is carried out in a Covid-secure environment.
“The police will only take action against blatant breaches of the health protection regulations.”
Supt Walker added: “The latest easing of the restrictions comes at a time when there is growing concern in other parts of the country regarding the so-called ‘Indian variant’ of Covid-19.
“The situation is being monitored extremely closely, and our residents and businesses can be assured that any necessary action will be taken should it pose a risk to our area.
“Even though limited indoor gatherings and indoor hospitality are now allowed, in line with the Step 3 ‘Rule of Six’ or two households restrictions, we strongly urge people to be very careful until more is known about this variant.
“We have come a heck of a long way since the terrible peaks of this pandemic, which forced the country into three lockdowns.
“We need to tread very cautiously as we move forward and be prepared for whatever may occur over the coming weeks.”
Andrew Lowson, Executive Director of York BID, said:
Thank you to everyone for doing the right thing and being able to open in Step 3. Please carry on following the all-important hands, face, space, fresh air rules and the health protection regulations so you can safely remain open.
“It’s important for everyone to enjoy the best of the city safely while supporting local businesses. Our street rangers will be helping the city do just that this weekend and we’re pleased to be part of this joint operation.”
Hands, face, space and fresh air remain vital. When seeing friends and family, outdoors is better. When seeing friends and family indoors, to help keep them safe:
If you have symptoms of Coronavirus stay at home and arrange a test by calling 119 or visiting nhs.uk/coronavirus
Wash your hands regularly (including on arrival) and use hand sanitiser
Open up windows to let the fresh air in
All adults can get tested regularly to ensure they aren’t spreading the virus unknowingly
Don’t share plates, glasses and cutlery
If meeting people at home, clean your surfaces and touchpoints before and after the visit
Have fun and stay safe with friends and family.
In York, we are urging residents, visitors and those working city centre to get take symptom-free tests twice a week and record the result online. In the city centre, testing is available at St William’s College, College Green.
Cllr Denise Craghill, executive member for Housing and Safer Communities, said:
“We’ve all worked hard to protect each other and reduce infection rates.
It’s so important that, as we enjoy this first weekend, we remember hands, face, space and fresh air, while avoiding any unnecessary social contact with those who are not part of your household or support bubble.
“We’re slowly easing up, but we need to remember to be careful. I urge anyone wanting to enjoy the city centre to check in advance with venues to ensure that there is space and that bookings are available.
“Please also avoid any unnecessary social contact with those who are not part of your household or support bubble, and please keep following the ‘hands, face, space and fresh air’ advice from the health experts.”
