SALISBURY Cathedral has sought permanent planning permission for a car park that has been in place for 28 years – but consent for it to be there lapsed a decade ago.

A 0.6-hectare plot of land next to Harnham Gate – previously used as tennis courts – became a car park in 1996, when it was given permission for five years.

Temporary permission was renewed in 2000, 2005 and 2011.

The last of those consents expired in 2014, but the car park remains in place to this day, meaning the cathedral could face action from Wiltshire Council.

Cllr Nick Botterill, the council's cabinet member for building control and strategic planning, said: “Wiltshire Council acknowledges that the previously secured planning permission for temporary change of use expired some time ago.

“An application for permanent change of use has now been submitted which will be assessed in the usual way including public consultation.

“Once a decision is made, we will review if any further action is required.”

Two EV charging points would be installed if the plans are given the green light (Image: Oakley Planning & Conservation)

The cathedral says the past temporary consents allowed the council to determine the impact of parked cars within the historic setting.

Now, the cathedral wants to introduce two electric vehicle charging points and a secure bike charging area if the car park is allowed to become permanent.

A design and access statement submitted with the plans says: “The car park provides space for 70 cars, which are used by a mix of cathedral staff and volunteers as well as by congregation at certain services within the cathedral.

“Spaces are also available to visitors to the Cathedral Close, although this is not widely advertised.

“The council and its predecessor have granted several temporary planning consents for this use, indicative of the fact that car parking arrangements have not caused demonstrable traffic or heritage problems that would warrant not renewing previous permissions.

“Other than the fairly minor changes to facilitate the EV charging points and the provision of the covered cycle parking, the layout of the car park is not proposed to change.”

A Salisbury Cathedral spokesperson said: “We are working with Wiltshire Council on a planning application to regularise the long-standing use of the space at the south end of the Cathedral Close as a car park.

“The proposal will also encourage the transition to greener forms of transport by including electric vehicle charging points and a covered bike shelter.”

You can view the application on the council's online planning portal (reference PL/2023/09615). The consultation deadline is December 3.