Residents will continue to be able to use a historic entrance into Canterbury Cathedral after successfully campaigning against a ban - but for the first time ever, they will have to pay.

For years, people have accessed the Cathedral through Queningate on Lower Bridge Street.

But bosses at the landmark caused outrage when they announced the route would be shut off to the public, and instead reserved exclusively for the use of King's School pupils and staff.

Now, the Dean admits “we got it wrong” and has u-turned on the controversial move.

However, changes brought in since the closure of Queningate was announced in September mean residents who have been using the gate for many years will now need a paid-for ‘Cathedral Pass’ to use the entrance.

Originally, Cathedral chiefs said the ban was introduced to make it safer for pupils at the £41,000-a-year school to walk to and from class.

They have now apologised for the impact on the public school, which has faced blame for the Cathedral's decision.

Dean, Dr David Monteith, said: “I arrived just before Christmas and have listened to many people concerned that Queningate was not as accessible as once was the case.

“We have reconsidered matters. We got it wrong.

“We didn’t engage enough with stakeholders at the time and the pressure to make swift decisions in the light of Covid when our income disappeared led to something of a hasty decision which then took time to implement.

“We are also sorry for the ways in which the King’s School were frequently blamed for a decision that was made by the Cathedral.”

The Canterbury Cathedral Precincts Access Group, which previously accused the Cathedral of turning the grounds into the “school’s private playground”, have welcomed the re-think.

Sean Sayers and Phil Poole from the campaign group said: “It is wonderful news that the Dean and Chapter have listened to the concerns of the local community and responded so positively.

“This will inaugurate a new and friendlier relationship between the Cathedral and local community which we greatly welcome.”

Queningate is thought to have been built into the city walls in 270 AD.

Of the five original gates into the Roman city, it is the only one that remains today.

The new pass that locals require to access the historic grounds came into force in January and costs £6 for a five-year permit.

The gate will be open to pass-holders daily between 7am and 6pm, but outside of these hours will only be open to precinct residents.

Due to the need to man the gate to check passes, the Cathedral estimates keeping Queningate accessible will cost an additional £50,000 each year.

The Dean added: “Nothing gives me greater joy than to see people enjoying this amazing place.

“I long for it to be ever more open but I have to balance the tough realities of income generation alongside increasing accessibility.

“We’re doing all this when visitor numbers continue to be reduced and where many of our regular language schools have now stopped coming.

“All this impacts so many communities and businesses and so we are ever more committed to attracting more visitors to our city because we enjoy meeting them and we need them for our city to thrive more once again.”

Queningate will reopen to pass-holding residents in May.

Free access to all those attending Cathedral services remains.