FACILITIES for staff and visitors at York Minster could be in line for an upgrade as part of a multi-million-pound conservation project.

Plans to improve accommodation for the historic cathedral’s team of workers and volunteers in its Chapter House Yard, as well as providing better public toilets, have been handed in to City of York Council.

The proposals are part of the £19 million York Minster Revealed scheme, which is aiming to safeguard the future of the building’s East Front and Great East Window, as well as providing new “learning and interpretation” facilities and enhancing access to the building.

The Dean and Chapter of York have said one aspect of the project is to ensure the Minster can be managed “more effectively”, leading to the accommodation and toilet facilities in Chapter House Yard, which have been described as “inadequate”, also coming under the microscope.

“The successful administration of the Minster relies on a large team of staff and volunteers,” said the agents for the scheme, Arrol & Snell Ltd, in a planning statement submitted to the council.

“However, the back-of-house facilities provided within the Chapter House Yard extension are cramped and inadequate. The toilet facilities for visitors are also grossly inadequate.

“The aim of the Chapter House Yard project is to improve the facilities provided for staff, volunteers and visitors. This will be done by improving the provision of public toilets and for services and storage. Access into and out of the Chapter House Yard building will also be greatly improved.”

The firm said that, if the application is approved by planners, temporary accommodation for staff and volunteers and alternative parking arrangements will be put in place nearby.

The scheme would provide improved facilities for the Minster Police, the cathedral’s vestment keepers and its cleaners and flower arrangers, as well as for visitors and worshippers.

A decision on the proposals is expected to be made in September.