University Archives
Beverley Minster 'open space' campaign
The campaign to preserve the open space to the south of Beverley Minster in East Yorkshire began in the late 1970s, following the drafting of a development brief for St Andrew Street and Lurk Lane by the Borough Council. Despite the sensitivity of the site, extensive demolition of property and expansion of new housing was proposed. In late 1980, as outline planning permission was granted by the Council for the first phase, local objectors launched the Beverley Heritage Alliance. Despite securing an investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner or Ombudsman in 1981, followed by a judicial review in 1982, the objectors ultimately failed to prevent the development from proceeding.
The collection comprises papers produced and accumulated by various parties to the affair, which were subsequently copied or acquired by Richard Wilson, one of the chief objectors. Included are copies of the Council's draft development brief from 1976, the feasibility study undertaken by York University Design Unit in 1977 and both reports issued by the Ombudsman in 1981. [DBE]