A SECURITY barrier of concrete blocks has now been installed in front of York Minster - as a retrospective planning application was submitted to planners.

The 12 blocks have been placed in a line outside the west end of the cathedral in an attempt to tackle the terrorist threat.

The Chapter of York, the cathedral’s governing body, has lodged an application to City of York Council for temporary planning permission.

It says the blocks are made of concrete manufactured from a reconstituted natural stone mix, using specially selected aggregates.

“The blocks have been manufactured to appear similar to Yorkstone with similar weathering qualities to quarried stone products,” it said in the application.

A council spokeswoman said she understood it was likely the application would be considered by officers under delegated powers, rather than by a planning committee.

The decision to strengthen security was taken following recommendations from the Counter Terrorism Unit and was made public last week.

The Dean of York, the Very Reverend Dr Vivienne Faull said Chapter had been concerned about the potential vulnerability of the area around the Minster’s West End for some time.

She said the national terror threat level had been at “severe” for many months and was likely to remain so for some time to come.

She said the appalling attacks in Manchester and London earlier this year had required everyone responsible for the security of nationally important buildings, monuments and public spaces to reassess, review and constantly refine their arrangements for keeping people safe.