The Grade I-listed Old Palace sits in the precincts of Canterbury Cathedral, serving as the Archbishop’s residence when in the city
A centuries-old ‘palace’ is set for refurbishment ahead of a new Archbishop moving in.
The Grade I-listed Old Palace sits in the precincts of Canterbury Cathedral, serving as the Archbishop’s residence when in the city.
The Church Commissioners for England have submitted plans to Canterbury City Council (CCC) to undertake renovations at the property, ahead of Dame Sarah Mullally’s occupancy.
“The proposed works relate to the ground floor of the North-South Range and East Wing, which contain some of the earliest surviving fabric of the medieval complex,” planning documents say.
“Although the area has undergone significant alteration over time, it retains considerable historic value and sensitivity.
“The proposals are intended to improve functionality while respecting the historic character of the building and are accompanied by minor repair works.”
The “commercial kitchen” in the palace is to be reworked, with units removed and a partition wall knocked down.
A new toilet/bathroom is also to be installed, and several stairlifts will be placed throughout the building.
Fire alarms and smoke detectors are also set to be installed across the historic home, with plans also in the pipeline for solar panels on the exterior.
The building also hosts offices for the Bishop of Dover, who, as ‘Bishop in Canterbury’, attends to local church business in the county in the absence of the Archbishop. A small part of the property is sublet to the Cathedral Archives team.
A home for the Archbishop has occupied that area of the Cathedral’s grounds for almost a millennium. However, it was rebuilt in the 13th century, and then again in the 17th, before being restored in the late 1800’s.
The Archbishop also has an official London residence – the massive Lambeth Palace. The clerics’ Canterbury home used to be much fancier, according to planning documents.
“The existing building, referred to as The Old Palace since 1901, represents only a fragment of the original medieval Archbishop’s Palace, which once extended over more than three acres,” they say.
The plans come as the new Archbishop, former Bishop of London Dame Sarah Mullally, was announced earlier this year, following the resignation of Justin Welby.
The stood down after facing increasing pressure over his failure to report prolific child abuser John Smyth. Dame Mullally will be enthroned as Archbishop on March 25 next year, the first woman to hold the post.
CCC is expected to decide on the plans in the new year, with a target deadline of January 12.
