Eye-catching plans for a new welcome centre at Canterbury Cathedral have today been revealed.

The proposal, which includes a new viewing gallery and a community space, has been submitted to the city council.

If approved, the plans would see the development of the building in Burgate, which is next to the Cathedral’s Christ Church gate.

It would become the first point of contact for visitors and would be where tickets are sold, tours arranged and where visitors would be able to see information about events and activities taking place at the site.

A first floor viewing gallery is also proposed which would provide free views of the Cathedral and Precincts and is also an area for exhibitions to showcase objects from the Cathedral’s historic collections

In addition, a community space is planned to enable the Cathedral to offer a range of learning and participation programmes for visitors and the local community as well as the facility for workshops, performance, presentation arts, crafts and creative interpretation.

Dean and Chapter spokesman, Canon Nick Papadopulos, said: “This is a very exciting development.

"Our present facilities do not allow us to welcome our visitors and our neighbours in the way we would like to.

"These plans would give everyone who wants it a stunning view of the Cathedral, and allow them to discover something of its history and its contemporary life.

"It will open the Cathedral to the city – and vice versa – as never before..." - Canon Nick Papadopulos

“In addition, the new centre would have a dedicated space where different types of activities could take place, allowing the Cathedral to reach the widest possible audiences, placing learning and participation at the heart of its mission.

"It will open the Cathedral to the city – and vice versa – as never before."

The centre - which would be built in the Precincts between the Christ Church gate and Cathedral House - would need also to be approved by the Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England.

The proposal, which has been submitted by architects Berman Guedes Stretton, is part of The Canterbury Journey project, which is currently the subject of a detailed application to the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Cathedral bosses say they have talked to prospective users about the proposal and have consulted with heritage organisations including Heritage England and the Canterbury Archaeological Trust.