Dean warns of VAT threat to cathedral restoration project

The cathedral yesterday urged people to sign-up to an online petition and join a campaign to stop the Government introducing the tax over fears it could signal an end to its major redevelopment project.

Following four years of fund-raising, work recently got underway on a £5m scheme to renew the iconic Grade I listed building.

But last week the Chancellor, George Osborne, announced in his budget that VAT at 20 per cent will be charged on alterations to listed buildings made on or after October 1.

The Dean of Wakefield, the Rev Jonathan Greener, said: “Such short notice has catastrophic consequences for our project here in Wakefield and for any group wanting to preserve, alter or breathe new life into any listed building in this country.

“This added unforeseen cost paralyses us here – we can’t go backwards and we can’t go forwards. This is a terrible tragedy for our nation’s rich and varied heritage and it must be stopped.”

He added: “It is hard enough to look after these buildings on the behalf of the nation in the first place, without having to cope with an unforeseen tax burden brought in at short notice with little thought.”

The cathedral is urging people to sign an e-petition to ensure the Chancellor’s tax proposal is further debated before it becomes law.

Anyone wishing to get involved can go to www.wakefield-cathedral.org.uk for a link to the e-petition, which will be up and running in the next few days.

The project will see the nave transformed with improved lighting, flooring and heating and the pews will be taken out to create a more flexible open space for worship and gatherings.