Victory for local people as Tories U-turn on Ely Cathedral Car Park

3.03.59pm UTC (GMT +0000) Sat 8th Jul 2006

Councillors at the site of the proposed extension which is now not going ahead thanks to local efforts.

Liberal Democrat councillors and local people were celebrating yesterday after the Conservatives finally gave in to overwhelming public protest and abandoned their plans to build on meadowland adjacent to Ely Cathedral.

The Tories finally admitted defeat after angry protests from local residents and opposition from Liberal Democrats on the Council, and a study by English Heritage that expressed concern about the impact the car park would have on the historic green space in the area.

Cllr Ian Allen, Chair of the Council's Environment and Transport Committee said "I am extremely pleased that Cllr Ashton and the Conservative group have recognised public opinion on this proposal and that it is not the way forward for the city."

"Common sense has prevailed and we have come to the right decision in the end, which is all that matters."