Our Oxford planning team was instructed by the University of Oxford in relation to a new graduate college at the Radcliffe Science Library in central Oxford. The proposals involved redeveloping the site to create modern library facilities; flexible spaces for study, collaboration, exhibition and public events; a new Museums Collections Teaching and Research Centre; a new dining hall, common room, study areas and offices in association with the new college.
The main constraint for the site related to heritage as the new college will be located in two Grade II listed buildings (the Radcliffe Science Library and adjoining west wing of the Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory and Abbot’s Kitchen). In addition, the site is adjacent to the Grade I listed University Museum and lies within the Central Oxford Conservation Area.
The project also involved extensive maintenance and re-waterproofing work to the 1970s basement which extends from the Radcliffe Science Library to in front of the Grade I listed University Museum to provide a new Museums Collections Teaching and Research Centre. Due to a tight programme this was the subject of an early planning application ahead of the main application for the new college.
The project involved extensive pre-application discussions with the conservation officer at Oxford City Council to discuss the proposals and the impact on the listed buildings so that the approach to the redevelopment was acceptable. This resulted in a scheme of high architectural quality and the less than substantial harm that would be caused to the heritage significance of the buildings was outweighed by a number of public benefits that were set out within the application.
As a result the application was determined on schedule and with no pre-commencement conditions. This was a great success for the client and has put the college in a strong position for completing the works ahead of the College opening in Autumn 2021.