The New Bodleian Library Conservation Plan - Central ...

5 Conservation PolicyHaving established the significance of the New Bodleian as a heritage asset, andhaving identified ways in which the significance of the New Bodleian is vulnerable toharm, it is necessary to recommend policies to reduce the probability of such harmoccurring and thereby conserve the significance of the site. In essence, these policiesset parameters for managing the fabric of the site.The Conservation Plan is intended as an active tool for the regular maintenance andlong-term management of the New Bodleian Library. It needs to be reviewedregularly, and revised as appropriate to take account of additional knowledge andchanging priorities. Through a process of regular review it should continue to act as auseful resource.5.1 Permit, in line with NPPF paragraphs 131, 132, 133, and 134, such alterations asare necessary to allow the continued use of the New Bodleian Building as aworld-class library and as a major stack storage space. Any proposals for thedevelopment of the site will facilitate this optimum viable useThe significance of the New Bodleian as a constituent element of the BodleianComplex means that its rôle as a library represents its optimum viable use. Theongoing alterations make impressive improvements in the areas of storage,environmental control, fire safety, and security. As these will address most currentconcerns, major alterations will not be a pressing issue for the time being, but thisshould be the over-riding principal in any future assessments or Conservation Plans. Ifalteration is required in the future it should be permitted with the following provisos: Any alterations must be sympathetic to the New Bodleian Library’s significance asa heritage asset and, in line with NPPF paragraph 134, any proposals that involve‘less than substantial harm to the significance’ should deliver ‘substantial publicbenefits.’ In line with NPPF paragraph 132, any proposals that involve ‘substantialharm or loss’ should be ‘exceptional.’ Any changes should: ‘…preserve those elements of the setting that make a positivecontribution to or better reveal the significance of the asset’ (NPPF paragraph 137).5.1.1 In order to ensure that the New Bodleian can operate to modern standards, andthat its significance can be maintained by making access as wide as possible,special concern should be applied to ensuring that disabled access is adequateEnsuring that the heritage asset can be enjoyed as widely as possible will have a majorpositive impact on its significance. Ongoing alterations will bring disabled access upto acceptable modern standards, e.g. new accessible lifts (see section 11 of Design andAccess Statement), and this should remain a major concern in any further alterations.New Bodleian LibraryConservation Plan, April 201229