CONCERN for the future of the “mother church” of the diocese mounted this week, following confirmation from the Archbishop of Canterbury that there will be no rescue package for Guildford Cathedral.

The cathedral’s future is under threat, following Guildford Borough Council’s decision to go against their officers’ recommendation and refuse an “enabling development” of 134 new homes.

The housing scheme to be built on surplus church land, which would have involved demolishing some clergy properties, could have raised a £10million endowment to secure the cathedral’s future.

But residents objected it was overbearing and it was rejected by councillors.

Urging that the application should be granted, the Dean of Guildford Cathedral, the very Rev Dianna Gwilliams said: “There is no plan B.

“We welcome more than 90,000 people a year and the running cost of the building is immense. We believe the development proposal is the only way to raise the necessary endowment.”

The Bishop of Guildford Andrew Watson warned: “Without this planning permission there will be no endowment, no investment income and possibly no cathedral.”

In their report recommending the application be granted, Guildford planning officers noted the cathedral consistently operated at an annual deficit of £50,000 to £100,000.

Cathedral supporters said that as a newer building, built in 1961, it struggles to attract the donations received by older churches.

Hopes the Church of England could step in to help, were dashed by The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, who warned the council: “It is sometimes said cathedrals are the Church of England’s equivalent of the big banks – ‘too big to fail’ – and that the very serious financial straits that are one of the motivating factors for Guildford pursuing this application are not so serious because the central church would ‘rescue’ them before total collapse.

“This is not the case.

“Naturally there are ways of offering assistance and advice, but it is extremely unlikely any part of the church would be able to compensate financially for the effects of this development not going ahead.”

Haslemere Rector the Rev Mary Bowden stressed the key role Guildford Cathedral plays for her home town and her fervent hope a solution to secure its future can be found.

“As the mother church of Guildford diocese the cathedral is the place where Christians from Church of England parishes all over Surrey come together to worship and celebrate and learn,” she said.

“At St Bart’s and St Christopher’s we’re looking forward to the Easter Vigil, the night before Easter Sunday, when Bishop Andrew will confirm 12 of our adults and young people.

“They will remake their baptism promises with others from across the diocese – Dorking, Runnymead, Aldershot and all points between – reminding us that the church we are part of stretches way beyond our parish boundaries.

“People have been surprised by the Archbishop’s comment that there will be no financial support for Guildford Cathedral, but this is the same for all churches of every size.

“Cathedrals, like parishes, don’t receive any financial help from outside and need to support themselves through giving and endowments.

“I very much hope the cathedral chapter can find a way forward to ensure the future of the cathedral as a focus of unity for our diocese – but I’m confident that whatever happens we will go on finding ways to worship together and celebrate our faith.”

Responding to Guildford Borough Council’s rejection of the development, a cathedral spokesman said: “Clearly we are disappointed by the decision reached.

“As trustees, Guildford Cathedral Chapter have a responsibility to consider all options open to securing the cathedral’s long-term future. We will carefully consider the reasons for refusal before deciding the next steps.”