By Rory Tingle, Home Affairs Correspondent For Mailonline
Published: 05:12 EDT, 14 July 2022 | Updated: 12:00 EDT, 14 July 2022
A cathedral wants to install steel railings to stop homeless people sleeping overnight in a historic porch after it was repeatedly left in an 'unhygienic mess'.
Lincoln Cathedral said the 13th Century Galilee porch had been vandalised by groups of rough sleepers taking drugs and lighting fires, resulting in damage to the iconic building.
Its work department has now lodged a planning application with Lincoln council to install a 4.5ft high fence across the porch. They acknowledged the railings could be climbed but argued it would be 'enough to deter people'.
Plans to build barriers to keep out homeless people are often highly controversial, and the cathedral itself was accused of 'unchristian' behaviour when it put up a temporary fence by the Galilee porch in 2020 after several incidents of antisocial behaviour.
Today, the Labour Homeless Campaign told MailOnline the plans were 'shameful' and 'deeply unhelpful to efforts to get people off the streets'.
The cathedral said it was 'mindful' of the city's homelessness problem, but did not 'believe that allowing people to sleep in this area of the cathedral was appropriate and it needs to be discouraged'.
An artist's impression of steel railings Lincoln Cathedral wants to build to stop homeless people sleeping in a historic porch
The cathedral acknowledged the railings could be climbed but argued it would be 'enough to deter people'
It wrote in a planning application: 'After the cathedral is closed people sometimes congregate in the Galilee Porch, taking drugs and causing damage to the delicate 13th C fabric. Fires have been started.
'Sometimes rough sleepers stay in this area often leaving an unhygienic mess to be cleared up by the vergers.
'The porch conceals an area to the side of the SW Transept and this is frequently used by rough sleepers who often leave the area in a very poor state and can be threatening in their behaviour.
'Again vandalism is sometimes caused to the fabric of the cathedral.'
The cathedral also said it had concerns about masonry falling from the south side of the nave, which is in need of repair.
It added: 'Because of other fabric priorities elsewhere it will be some considerable time before the masonry repairs can be attended to. It is therefore desirable to keep the public away from the wall for the nave.'
In recent years, landlords have been criticised for putting up 'homeless spikes' to stop people sleeping in the doorways of flats in London.
In 2014, the row attracted the attention of Boris Johnson, then London Mayor, who branded the approach - which involves installing short, blunt spikes in areas that could be used by rough sleepers - 'inhumane'.
The cathedral was accused of 'unchristian' behaviour when it put up a temporary fence by the Galilee porch in 2020 after several incidents of antisocial behaviour
The Very Revd Christine Wilson, Dean of Lincoln, said the cathedral 'has always, and continues to support rough sleepers and other vulnerable people in a wide variety of ways'.
She continued: 'The purpose of the proposed railings is to provide protection and keep people safe from harm; that includes those who have been sleeping in the Galilee Porch.
'Lincoln Cathedral is on Historic England's Buildings at Risk Register. Recent surveys have revealed the risk of falling masonry on that part of the Cathedral and there are currently temporary barriers to prevent people entering that space.
'We know that some of our rough sleepers were camping in that area last year and obviously, that puts them at a significant risk of harm.
'In addition to protecting people, as the current custodians of the Cathedral we have a responsibility to protect the historic fabric of the building for future generations. A fire was lit in the Galilee Porch, and are conscious of ensuring that we do not have another situation like that at Notre Dame.'
The local YMCA has praised the work Lincoln Cathedral has done for the city's homeless.
A view of Lincoln Cathedral - one of Britain's most stunning medieval buildings
The Dean of Lincoln added: 'Lincoln Cathedral is a place of welcome for those seeking support, worship or shelter, and pastoral care is at the heart of our daily ministry and mission.
'We offer food, drinks and clothing to those who need it, as well as toiletry packages and a private space to wash.
'We work closely with local authorities and charities to ensure people receive appropriate support and care, and the Cathedral is pleased to have been able to assist in helping arrange medical assistance, mental health assessments and ultimately helping to get people into accommodation.
'Our doors are very much open to everyone and we encourage anyone to come and seek the support they need, be that spiritual or practical.'
rory.tingle@mailonline.co.uk
An aerial impression of the location of the fencing. Local charities have praised the work done by the cathedral to help Lincoln's homeless
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