PLANS to turn a car park next to Gloucester Cathedral into public open space have been attacked for contradicting the sustainability ideals that the project seeks to encourage.

Landscaping around the parking spaces on the cathedral's Upper Green is part of a redevelopment, Project Pilgrim, designed to link the church more closely with the city.

But Tim Hall, a retired surveyor, cathedral-shop volunteer, and member of a choir that meets in the Chapter House, said: "Removing the cathedral car park is most likely to decrease the cathedral audience, participation, and economic sustainability - all of which the vision desires to increase."

He points to the cathedral's own feedback survey, which showed that 44 per cent of the nearly 400 respondents wanted reassurance about parking. "My gut feeling is that Gloucester Cathedral will suffer more than it gains by removing its car park," he said. If it continued, it was "in danger of being out of touch with daily reality".

He accused the Dean and Chapter of forcing through the car-park removal on the back of the other much more popular aspects of Project Pilgrim.

In an email to the Chapter, he wrote: "Rather than being a problem to be removed, convenient car parking is an asset to be cherished. Neighbouring streets are already clogged up by people attending cathedral events and gatherings. Does the cathedral really want to make this situation worse?

"I accept that, visually, it will look nicer, but any action has consequences, and I just see a lot of negative consequences."

In a statement, the manager of Project Pilgrim, Anne Cranston, said: "Project Pilgrim is a unique opportunity for the cathedral to improve and restore specific areas of the cathedral, ensuring it can fulfil its role as a place of dynamic spiritual, civic, and heritage activity.

"We are aware of Mr Hall's views as part of the public consultation process which has demonstrated overwhelming support for the proposals. His views will be taken into consideration."