YORK Minster is to launch a major public consultation on the future of its precinct - including whether to provide a dedicated cafe and what to do with historic buildings such as St William's College.

Minster officials are set to draw up a masterplan to develop buildings and land within the six-hectare site but want to know first what worshippers, visitors, residents and business would like to see happen.

A spokeswoman said key issues included 'how to make Dean’s Park a vibrant open space at the heart of the city' and opening up the precinct to create more attractive public spaces.

Others included:

*Addressing the lack of key facilities such as a dedicated café for locals and visitors

*Addressing the use of buildings such as St William’s College and the Old Palace Library and Archive

*Improving facilities at the Minster School

*Better use of the available spaces for offices and residential use

It would also look at the ongoing conservation and restoration of some precinct buildings and the future environmental and economic sustainability of the precinct.

The consultation will open with an exhibition event in a marquee in Dean’s Park from 11am until 7pm on Friday and Saturday, where large panel boards with information about the vision for the York Minster Precinct will be displayed.

"Visitors will be encouraged to have their say and to share their ideas and suggestions," said the spokeswoman.

"Members of the Minster’s Precinct Masterplan team will be on hand to answer questions and queries. The boards will also be available to view in the Minster’s South Transept on Sunday."

She said that for those unable to make it to Dean’s Park, the consultation would also be available online from 10 am on Friday at www.masterplanning.yorkminster.org to give as many people as possible the opportunity to view the details and comment, and the consultation would run until midnight on Saturday June 30.

The Dean of York, The Very Reverend Dr Vivienne Faull said:“We are at the very earliest stage of this work. We know that there is an extended, global community of people who are passionate about York Minster – worshippers, people who live and work in the city of York and the region, visitors, local businesses and many, many more. We are at the very early stage and want everyone to have their say.

“We want to hear their responses to our vision and learn what is important to them. We also want them to contribute their thoughts, ideas and suggestions for how the precinct might evolve in the future. The plan must reflect the needs of our community and visitors.

“Our vision for the future will respect, enhance and protect more than 2,000 years of human history, worship and activity on this ancient site. It will also provide the blueprint for sustainable development that will meet the needs of current and future generations of worshippers, residents, workers, volunteers and visitors to the Minster.”

The spokeswoman said all of the feedback received will be presented in a statement of consultation which will be published online later in the summer and will help to shape the development of the masterplan over coming months, before a further consultation in the autumn.