A major project to repair historic walls at a landmark building in York have sparked fears.
The works, which are set to see 28 steel posts installed and fastened to parts of Bishopthorpe Palace’s garden walls which are leaning over, have been approved by City of York Council.
Flowers were historically grown in the gardens for the palace which is the home of the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell.
They are now leased to the Brunswick Organic Nursery.
Plans from the Church Commissioners for England stated the repairs aimed to stop parts of the walls from falling over and cracked areas would also be reinforced.
But concerns have been raised about the affect works could have on eight veteran pear trees, with two set to be removed.
Approval of the plans comes after they were first lodged with the council in July.
The works are set to see repairs made to the walls around the palace’s small and large gardens.
A 2024 survey found leans ranging from up to 11cm to up to 28cm on the north, east and west sections of the garden walls, along with buldges and cracks.
The survey concluded they have been caused by the canopies of fruit trees pushing against the brickwork over a 250-year period.
Plans stated the species of trees grown in the gardens were of historical interest and some were no longer commercially available.
A tree protection plan has been drawn up as part of the works but two plants are set to be removed and replaced.
The proposed repairs would see steel pillars mounted in concrete bases installed along leaning sections of the walls.
The walls would be fastened to the beams and left exposed after previous plans to enclose them in brickwork were dropped.
Stainless steel bars would be used to reinforce cracked sections of the walls, with repointing set to be carried out in line with Historic England guidance.
Rebuilding leaning sections of the walls has been ruled out due to the loss of historic structures.
Plans stated the proposed works were positive and would help preserve the walls for future generations.
The application stated: “The main purpose of the new piers and other works is to preserve the walls by preventing them from falling over.
“Hence, the less than substantial harm caused by the proposals is offset by the public benefit of sustaining the site so that its optimal use as a horticultural walled garden may continue.”
But organisations including Bishopthorpe in Blossom, the village’s Local History Group and the Northern Fruit Group have also voiced concerns over the trees, along with a resident.
Bishopthorpe in Blossom said the eight veteran pear trees were part of the historic character of the gardens and urged the impact on them to be taken into account.
The Local History Group said they welcomed efforts to safeguard the walls but added the steel posts would be intrusive.
A report on the plans stated: “The Northern Fruit Group are concerned that the remedial work to preserve the integrity of the walls at the palace garden will have a detrimental impact on the ancient pear trees.”
