Plans for a new museum and gardens in York city centre have been submitted. York Minster's governing body, the Chapter of York, has lodged proposals to develop the Old Palace Library and surrounding area close to Dean's Park which is adjacent to the Minster. The Old Palace currently houses the Minster Library, which holds the historic printed collections of the Chapter of York dating back to the 1470s. "York Minster is more than 800 years-old, it welcomes more than 700,000 visitors a year and is a major tourist attraction in the North of England," stated the plans. "Ensuring a viable and sustainable business to underpin the care of the Minster lies at the heart of how the Chapter plans for the future."