St Mary’s Cathedral development plans face push-back from parishioners, Royal Botanic Gardens

An almighty planning row has erupted over multimillion-dollar plans to construct a six-storey building at the site one of Sydney’s oldest cathedrals. Have your say in our poll.

Angry church parishioners have slammed plans to build a six storey building at the site one of Sydney’s oldest cathedrals critics labelling the development sacrilegious to the site’s history.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney is facing backlash over a $39.2 million development proposal to build a six story chancery building directly next to the hallowed St Mary’s Cathedral.

Development plans lodged with the City of Sydney show the multistorey building would have a cafe, a bookshop and administration facilities for cathedral affiliates.

There will also be new meeting spaces for groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, public amenities, family rooms and additional office space.

Church members have hit out at the proposal due to concerns it could detract from the heritage values of the heritage-listed Gothic Revival-style cathedral.

A concept image of the new building.

Long term parishioner Richard Stevens said he was “appalled at the idea of an enormous, modern building being sandwiched between the historic chapter house and the cathedral”.

“This is our history, and an ugly, enormous modern building should not be allowed to forever overshadow, dominate and spoil the significance of the site,” he wrote in a submission.

Another parishioner in a strongly worded submission stated the development would “totally destroy the grandeur” of the cathedral which serves as a “beacon to those who wish to visit the cathedral as a gothic wonder built by past skilled craftsmen:

The cathedral was built between 1868 and 1929.

The Royal Botanic Gardens has also raised concerns over potential traffic impacts on park visitors during construction periods.

“The Garden and surrounding precinct will experience additional traffic congestion, probable traffic spillover, and road closures throughout the construction period,” Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust director of asset management planning and projects George Salouros said.

“(This) will have a negative impact on an already heavily congested and busy intersection”

In a statement, a spokesman for the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney said the new building has a sandstone facade to tie in with the heritage values of the cathedral precinct.

“St Mary’s Cathedral belongs to the people of Sydney which is why the Archdiocese welcomes all feedback and will continue to carry out consultations with all parties and concerned parishioners to ensure their voices are heard,” he said.

The sacred site dates back to the early 19th century, and is recognised as the oldest continuous site of Catholic worship in Australia and attracts 1.2 million visitors to the site each year.

Michael Digges, executive director of the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney, previously told The Daily Telegraph the development would be the first significant restoration and modification of the Cathedral site in more than 40 years.

The site of the new building, shown in yellow, adjoins the cathedral.

“The St Mary’s Cathedral site has been serving both Catholics and the people of Sydney for nearly two-hundred years. This new upgrade will ensure this lasting legacy of service continues for centuries to come,” he said.

The plans stated the development was “entirely appropriate in terms of its location, scale, design” and had been designed to complement the cathedral.

“The proposal is consistent with the overall character of the area and would provide a positive contribution to the desired future character of the locality,” the plans added.

A photo of the cathedral, pictured here between 1900-1910. Photo: State Library of NSW

The proposal is currently under assessment by the City of Sydney and is due to be determined in coming months.

Other concerns raised by parishioners include potential disruptions during construction periods as well as fears the development would block sunlight and views to sections of the cathedral.

Parishioner Paula Flynn believes a “building like the one being proposed has absolutely no place next to the cathedral.”