Central South and West Area Committee 13 July 2010 Application Number: 10/01108/FUL & 10/01109/LBC Decision Due by: 6 July 2010 Proposal: Planning permission – regrading and repairing Old Schools Quad to provide level access Listed building consent – a) internal alterations to Old Bodleian Library involving removal of lift and lift grilles, modern partitions, book conveyor, installation of new lift, WCs and kitchenette. b) Internal alterations to Radcliffe Camera involving removal of modern stairs, inserting of new lift and stairs. Temporary removal of window and grille to allow contractors access. c) Internal alterations to underground book store involving removal of static shelving, installation of rolling stacks, carrels, lifts and provision of reading/study areas. Site Address: Old Bodleian Library, Radcliffe Camera, Radcliffe Square, Oxford Ward: Carfax Ward Agent: Mr Terry Gash – DPDS Ltd Applicant: University of Oxford Applications 10/01108/FUL & 10/01109/LBC called in by councillors on the grounds that the changes proposed are of such significance and importance that the applications would benefit from public scrutiny at the area committee Recommendation: Approve For the following reasons: 1. The Council considers that the proposal accords with the policies of the development plan and Government advice on the management of the historic environment as summarised below. It has taken into consideration all other material matters, including matters raised in response to consultation and publicity. Any harm to the heritage assets that the works would otherwise give rise to can be justified and mitigated by detailed design, which the conditions imposed would control. 2. Comments received in response to public comments relate to particular elements of the scheme rather than the overall objectives sought, in particularly the loss the fittings, impact on historic fabric, impact on architectural quality. The proposals have evolved through informed analysis of the architectural and historic interest of the buildings and through pre-application discussions with officers and English Heritage and in consultation with local groups. Whilst there will be some impacts on the heritage assets it is considered that these impacts have been minimised by design and mitigated by proposals for recording and salvage. Overall the benefits that will be delivered, ensuring the buildings remain suitable for continued storage of these important collections allowed improved access for the whole community and encouraging the public’s understanding and enjoyment of the heritage assets, justify granting listed building consent and planning permission. Subject to the following conditions, which have been imposed for the reasons stated:- (i) 10/01108/FUL 1. Time limit – full permission 3 years 2. Approved Plans 3. Materials in CA 4. External Services to be approved 5. Construction travel plan 6. Archaeological recording and watching brief 7. Construction details (ii) 10/01109/LBC 1. Time limit 3 years 2. Approved Plans 3. Amended plans 4. 7 days notice of start of LPA 5. Written notice of likely completion to LPA 6. Samples of external materials on-site 7. Internal features to be protected during works 8. Further works for fire regulations 9. Repair of damage after work 10. Further details to show: • Fire doors • Floor and wall finishes in UBS and Old Bodleian Library • New rolling bookshelves in lower UBS • temporary ramp required to access Radcliffe Camera • methodology and details for window and railing removal, storage and reinstatement (Radcliffe Camera) • design and finish of ventilation grills in Schools Quad • services and service runs • lighting • lift access and stairs to Radcliffe Camera • construction details for new external paving • junction of new work with historic fabric 11. Recording, removal and storage/reuse of ‘Gladstone shelving’. 12. Construction travel plan 13. Archaeological building recording and watching brief. Main Local Plan Policies: Oxford Local Plan 2001-2016 CP1 - Development Proposals CP8 - Design Development to Relate to its Context HE3 - Listed Buildings and Their Setting HE7 - Conservation Areas CP13 - Accessibility Core Strategy 2026 CS20 – Urban design, townscape, character and the historic environment Other Material Considerations: This application is in the Central and City Conservation Area. The development is affecting Grade I Listed Buildings. Relevant Site History: 72/26141/L_H Repaving Schools Quad APPROVED 97/1681/L & 97/1682/NFH raising of existing paving to provide access for people with disabilities, outside door to Chancellor’s Court in Sheldonian Quad & outside 5 entrance doors in Old Schools Quad, apps. WITHDRAWN Representations Received: English Heritage – have commented about the Access Statement provided and question the need to provide access to Lower Reading Room of Camera, the suitability and desirability of the access proposed and query if other less intrusive means of access solutions have been fully explored. No objection to the means of access through the window in Bay 2. They welcome the removal of the existing lift shaft and metal grills from the main staircase and accept the loss of the conveyor and associated elements and Gladstone shelving in the upper level of the underground bookstacks (UBS). The Georgian Group – have two concerns. The first is the design for the new balustrade to the staircase and lift connecting the Lower Reading Room to the underground bookstacks. The other is the temporary removal of sections of railings surrounding the Radcliffe Camera and the installation of a ramp to the window of bay 1. Oxford Civic Society – consider that the provision of ramps in the Old Schools Quad is unsightly and a hazard to pedestrians. Oxfordshire Architectural and Historical Society (OAHS) – object to the proposed changes of level of paving in the Old Schools Quad The Victorian Group of OAHS – support the views expressed by the Georgian Group regarding the glass balustrading to new the staircase and lift in the Radcliffe Camera. They also object to the removal of most of the original shelving on the upper floor of the UBS. Recommend full investigation and recording before any work carried out. CABE –do not wish to comment SPAB – Concerned about the impact of the new paving on moisture movement in the walls and floor structures of surrounding buildings.. They also suggest that a change in levels in the Old Schools Quad might have some adverse effect on the proportions and character of elevations. Oxford Preservation Trust – Is supportive of the works in the NW School’s Tower, changes to the UBS and the installation of new lift and stairs in the Radcliffe Camera. The Trust are concerned however about repaving in old Schools Quad, particularly the loss of the plinth around the building. County Highways – raises no objection to works subject to details of access to Holywell Street in construction travel management plan. Internal Consultees: Access Officer – supports proposals. Officers Assessment: History of development 1. The Bodleian Library complex includes the Clarendon Building, the Schools Quadrangle with the attached Divinity School and Convocation House, Duke Humfrey Library, Arts and Selden Ends. To the south is the Radcliffe Camera and underneath part of Radcliffe Square is the Underground Bookstore (UBS). To the north is the new Bodleian. A tunnel links the Camera, UBS, Old Bodleian and New Bodleian. 2. The first university library was located above Congregation House adjoining St Mary’s Church and it was in the 1420’s that construction started on the Divinity School building, finishing in 1488. Building works, of extension alteration or conservation have continued almost every decade since. (there was a short interlude in the building programme during the latter part of the C17th). Below is a time line of key dates c.1320 1st University library over the Congregation House adjoining St. Mary’s church 1420s- Divinity School constructed 1480s 1435-1447 Duke Humfrey Duke builds a room over the Divinity School to house a new library 1489 New Library above the Divinity School finished 1550 Duke Humfrey’s library closes. The University is without a library for around 50 years. Room taken over by the faculty of medicine 1598 Sir Thomas Bodley began to restock and refurbish the library 1602 Bodley’s library opened 1610 Bodley entered into agreement with the Stationers’ Company of London so that a copy of every published book in England which was registered at Stationers’ Hall would be given to the Bodleian 1610-12 Arts End with Proscholium below added to the library 1613 Bodley dies 1613-18 The University builds the Schools Quadrangle to the east of the Arts End for lecture and examination rooms. Includes a third storey funded by money left in Bodley’s will. Work includes the painted frieze in the Upper Reading Room. 1640 Selden End built with Convocation House beneath and named in honour of John Selden, one of the library’s benefactors 1737-49 Radcliffe Camera built by James Gibbs 1751 Stone obelisks put into Radcliffe Square 1789-1884 Bodleian Library gradually takes over all the rooms in the Schools Quadrangle 1824 Radcliffe Square lawns put in and iron railings erected 1860-61 Radcliffe Camera given to the Bodleian Library as a new Reading Room 1861 Acland proposes a covered walkway between the Camera and Old Bodleian, which is not carried out 1863 The open ground floor of the Radcliffe Camera enclosed and refurbished to become a bookstore. Windows glazed and external steps