Heritage row over CCTV at ‘Harry Potter cathedral’

A CATHEDRAL has landed itself in a row with heritage campaigners over plans to install CCTV cameras.

Gloucester Cathedral, which dates back to the year 678, has been granted permission to put in 17 cameras after a “significant” increase in crime.

Cameras are to be placed in a churchyard, the cathedral’s library and on three homes opposite the building. They could also be placed on the Great Cloister, on Miller’s Green behind the cathedral, and in the coffee shop.

Antony Feltham-king, a cathedral architect, said the idea was to “reduce crime in and around the precincts”, but Gloucester Civic Trust said it was at a loss to understand why “clutter” had to be added to listed buildings.

The cathedral has appeared in two Harry Potter films and when it arranged themed tours, the tickets sold out.