The former Jewson site on Bondgate Green in Ripon is set to be demolished and replaced with housing after the borough’s planning committee voted to approve the plans this week.

Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee voted eight to six in favour of deferring the decision to the chief planner for approval on Tuesday, February 17.

Architect Claire Jamieson spoke at the meeting and said the row of seven houses and two flats would block their “magnificent view”.

Questions were also raised over the interpretations of drawings which showed how much of the cathedral would be visible over the terrace from Bondgate Green.Kate Broadbank, from Carter Jonas, dismissed concerns about the building heights and said: “We are a professional company.”

Coun Alan Skidmore (Con, Ripon Spa) voted against the plans and said: “This is the only Grade I listed building north of the River Nidd in the district. I am not against development on the site, but it has to be sympathetic and in keeping with the area.”

Committee chairman Coun Nigel Simms (Con, Mashamshire) said: “If you want to see the cathedral just step back a bit, you can’t see it by the time you get to the road anyway.”