Richard died before the proposal could be put into operation, but in 1109, the custodian of the vacant abbey secured permission to make the change, and became the first Bishop of Ely. However, the administrative changes needed to make the abbey into a bishopric took longer, and were still unresolved at the time of Nigel's appointment.
Richard passed away before the proposal could be implemented, but in 1109, the caretaker of the empty abbey obtained approval to make alterations, and became the first Bishop of Ely. Nevertheless, the administrative modifications required to transform the abbey into a bishopric took more time, and were not fully resolved at the time of Nigel's appointment.