An intruder who trespassed on the grounds of the Archbishop of York’s residence and banged on its doors has prompted works to bolster the building’s security.
Plans from the Church Commissioners for England to replace glazed double doors at the west entrance of Bishopthorpe Palace with ones with thicker stiles and better locks have been approved.
They were approved in a meeting with were endorsed in a site meeting with Counter Terror police.
The application from the body, which manages the Church of England’s assets, stated the incident and others had alarmed the occupants.
City of York Council planning officials stated the proposed replacement doors would recaputure the visual style of the entrance the building had in the 18th Century.
Plans lodged with the council showed new oak double doors would be installed, with the frame and floret decoration of the existing ones retained.
The entrance has served as the historic front door to the building since the completion of the West Front of the Palace in 1769.
Doors there open into an entrance hall which leads into state rooms and private apartments. They are used daily for private access and for official and ceremoninal purposes.
The entrance also serves as the fire exit for the palace’s chapel, Great Hall and state rooms.
Tougher 4.5mm glass made from traditional methods will be used for the glazing of the new doors.
It features an irregular surface common to 18th and 19th Century windows, giving them a wavy appearance.
A new lock will be able to be opened from the inside by pulling down the door handling, making it easier to get out of the building in an emergency.
The door will be lockable from the outside in a standard way.
The door handle and backplates will have a traditional Tudor lever appearance.
The Commissioners stated the works would make the building more secure and easier to escape in an emergency.
They said: “There are security concerns following recent incidents where intruders have entered the grounds and by-passed closed gates and normal protocols.
“This has included an intruder banging on the doors, causing alarm to the occupants.
“The proposals have been carefully considered to minimise the impact on heritage significance and were endorsed in a site meeting with Counter Terrorism Policing North-East.”
Bishopthorpe Palace dates to the 13th Century when it was built for then Archbishop of York Walter de Grey, who served under the medieval kings John and Henry III.
The building, which is now Grade I-listed, was altered with additions in the subsequent centuries.
It was remodelled for Archbishop Robert Hay-Drummond in the 1760s, with those works including the building of the West Front.
The palace serves as the official residence of Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, contains offices, meeting rooms and worship areas and hosts events including receptions and village fetes.
