The New Bodleian Library Conservation Plan - Central ...

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5.2 Any redevelopment needs to respect the Conservation Area and the library’ssetting adjacent to several important listed buildingsIt has been established that the New Bodleian is significant as an integral aspect of theUniversity’s monumental centre at Broad Street East. Any future alteration should besympathetic to this fact, and should not diminish its rôle there.5.3 In the vein of NPPF paragraph 110, efforts should be made to ensure that theNew Bodleian Library’s contribution to climate change is as minimal as isfeasible for a building of its age, size, materials, and use. Any proposals foralterations should assess the feasibility of incorporating low and zero carbontechnologiesEnsuring that the building is sustainable will be crucial to its long-term survival andsignificance. As stated in NPPF paragraph 110, development should seek to‘minimise pollution and other adverse effects on the local and natural environment.’5.4 Note that the New Bodleian is a listed building and ensure that appropriateconsents are obtained for any alteration works to the interior or exterior of thebuildingThe ongoing alterations should preclude the need for any significant changes in thenear future, but due to the listed status of the building even minor routine repairs mayneed consent. Caution should be applied in order to ensure that any statuary duties arefulfilled. In cases of doubt Oxford University’s Estates Directorate should becontacted in the first instance, and if necessary they will refer queries on to OxfordCity Council.5.4.1 Ensure proper consultation in advance of any work to the building with theLocal Authority Conservation Officer and any other interested partiesThis is to ensure that the best advice is obtained at an early stage of any proposal toalter any part of the building in order to make certain that the significance of thebuilding is respected.5.4.2 Refer to the detailed gazetteer of the building, produced by Purcell MillerTritton LLP, when considering repairs or alterations in any spaceThe Gazetteer gives an overview of what remains in the building and what issignificant, prior to the latest alterations. When used in conjunction with the HeritageImpact Assessment, it should be clear where original material remains. Where originalor significant material is extant, repairs should be carried out using the same materialsand techniques and should not affect the significance of the asset without providingsubstantial public benefits in line with NPPF paragraph 134.5.5 Conservation of specific attributes contributing to overall significanceMany of the spaces in the building retain much of their original finishes and furniture.These finishes should be identified and conserved and kept in use where possible inNew Bodleian LibraryConservation Plan, April 201230
line with Section 5.1. It is accepted, however, that all these materials have a naturallife span and some degree of change must be permitted to keep the building safe,useable, and generally fit for its primary purpose as a working library and book store.Some materials such as the stone used for the internal wall surfaces have a very longlife expectancy if given minor maintenance, others such as the flooring, have largelybeen replaced with sympathetic equivalents. Within the framework of understandingand valuing what is present in the building a degree of ongoing change is inevitable.5.5.1 Following the current alterations, the external façades of the building willremain substantially unchangedThe three façades are a key element of Scott’s design and are part of the streetscape inthe centre of the Conservation Area. Changes to these elevations will significantlyaffect the character of the building. The northern and western facing façades willremain unchanged from their original design. Ongoing alterations will significantlymodify the main southern elevation by removing some of the walls, pilasters, andwindows, and incorporating a new glass-fronted entrance. These changes, which arein line with Section 5.1 will realise the potential of the original design by introducinga monumental entrance in its intuitive location on the building’s chief elevation, andhave a major positive impact.5.5.2 The aluminium windows and the glazing pattern are a significant part of thebuilding design. Following the current alterations, the windows should beretained and conserved or where this is not practicable new glazing should followthe pattern of the present glazing. The feasibility of improving the energyefficiency of the existing glazing without impacting on their significance shouldbe assessedWhere extant, these windows are the original windows and a key part of the overalldesign. In line national policy and the University’s own climate change objectives it isdesirable to improve the energy performance of these features. The feasibility ofperforming such alterations whilst minimising the impact on the significance of thefeatures should be assessed.5.5.3 To take note of the surviving finishes in both the principal rooms and thecirculation area of the building and to ensure that these are retained andconserved where this is possible and practicalMany of the original finishes to walls and ceilings, and in some limited areas floors,remain in place. Where possible these should be retained and should not be removedwithout proper consideration of their value and listed building consent. Wherepossible in the principal areas of the building the finishes should be conserved andretained where this is practicable.New Bodleian LibraryConservation Plan, April 201231
Page 4: 6 BIBLIOGRAPHY 377 APPENDICES 39App
Page 9 and 10: 2 Understanding the Site2.1 History
Page 11 and 12: could easily accommodate the growth
Page 13 and 14: 3 Significance of the New Bodleian
Page 15 and 16: 3.2 Significance as part of the Bod
Page 17 and 18: Figure 7. Detail from the Ashmole B
Page 19 and 20: 3.5 Architectural Significance3.5.1
Page 21 and 22: Figure 9. Original desks in PPE Rea
Page 23 and 24: 4 Vulnerabilities4.1 The Ability of
Page 25 and 26: 4.3.2 Broad Street VestibuleThis pr
Page 27 and 28: Commonwealths existent at the time
Page 29: 5 Conservation PolicyHaving establi
Page 33 and 34: 5.5.7.3 Retain the furniture, fitti
Page 35 and 36: 5.9.2 The Conservation Plan will be
Page 37 and 38: 6 Bibliography6.1 References from t
Page 39 and 40: 7 APPENDICESAppendix 1: Listed Buil
Page 41 and 42: and six internal staircases, clad i
Page 43 and 44: Appendix 2: Conservation Area Descr
Page 45 and 46: Observatory adjacent to University
Page 47 and 48: Appendix 3: Chronology of the New B
Page 49 and 50: Appendix 4CHECKLIST OF SIGNIFICANT
Page 51: THIS PAGE HAS BEEN LEFT BLANKNew Bo

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