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Historic Palace Walls Lean: Steel Fixes Clash with Ancient Trees
12 Apr
Summary
- Steel posts will reinforce Bishopthorpe Palace garden walls leaning over.
- Two of eight historic pear trees are slated for removal due to wall repairs.
- Concerns raised by local groups about the impact on the garden's character.
Repairs to the historic walls at Bishopthorpe Palace, the Archbishop of York's residence, have received approval despite objections over tree preservation. The planned works include the installation of 28 steel posts to stabilize sections of the garden walls that are leaning significantly.
These repairs aim to prevent wall collapse and reinforce cracked areas, as identified by a 2024 survey noting tree canopies had pushed against the brickwork over centuries. A tree protection plan is in place, but two of the eight historically significant pear trees will be removed and replaced.
Local groups, including Bishopthorpe in Blossom and the Local History Group, have expressed concerns about the intrusive nature of the steel posts and the impact on the garden's heritage. The Northern Fruit Group also voiced worries about the detrimental effect on the ancient pear trees.
