Our papers of 25 September 2026
Exhibit H1 to Annex H: Historic England’s disclosure extracts
PDF · 12 pages · Primary source · The text below is the PDF’s own text, page by page
Exhibit H1 to our Historic England file of 25 September 2026 (register document 9544048): extracts from Historic England’s casework file released under freedom of information.
The document in full
Page 1
Exhibit H1: extracts from Historic England's disclosure under reference 26/04173 Christ's Lane Action Group. Application 26/02109/FUL. Exhibit to Annex H (the Historic England FOI schedule), 23 September 2026.
The documents in this exhibit are cited as held on Historic England's file. They are reproduced as Historic England released them under the Freedom of Information Act, reference 26/04173, with Historic England's redactions. Each page carries its item number, the released bundle it comes from and its page in that bundle, and its page in this exhibit. Item
What it is
Released bundle and page
Exhibit page
H1.1
Inspector's email of 20 December 2024
HE_applicant_pre-app and apps
2 to 4
and the agent's reply
emails_Redacted.pdf, page 25, page 26, page 27
H1.2
Inspector's email of 3 February 2025
HE_applicant_pre-app and apps
emails_Redacted.pdf, page 35 H1.3
H1.4
H1.5
Applicant's agent's letter of 14 May
HE_applicant_pre-app and apps
emails_Redacted.pdf, page 66
Historic England internal record, 19
Consultation received 2026
June 2026
emails_Redacted.pdf, page 4
Historic England to the case officer, 23
HE_CCC_formal consultation
September and 20 October 2025
emails_Redacted.pdf, page 14, page
8 to 9
16 H1.6
English Heritage's letter on the
2011app_X_HERef_L00104702_138865_1
consented scheme, 11/0495/FUL
10495FUL_Redacted.pdf, page 1, page 2, page 3
Exhibit H1, page 1 of 12
10 to 12
Page 2
Exhibit H1.1: Inspector's email of 20 December 2024 and the agent's reply Released bundle: HE_applicant_pre-app and apps emails_Redacted.pdf, page 25
Exhibit H1, page 2 of 12
Page 3
Exhibit H1.1: Inspector's email of 20 December 2024 and the agent's reply Released bundle: HE_applicant_pre-app and apps emails_Redacted.pdf, page 26
Exhibit H1, page 3 of 12
Page 4
Exhibit H1.1: Inspector's email of 20 December 2024 and the agent's reply Released bundle: HE_applicant_pre-app and apps emails_Redacted.pdf, page 27
Exhibit H1, page 4 of 12
Page 5
Exhibit H1.2: Inspector's email of 3 February 2025 Released bundle: HE_applicant_pre-app and apps emails_Redacted.pdf, page 35
Exhibit H1, page 5 of 12
Page 6
Exhibit H1.3: Applicant's agent's letter of 14 May 2026 Released bundle: HE_applicant_pre-app and apps emails_Redacted.pdf, page 66
Exhibit H1, page 6 of 12
Page 7
Exhibit H1.4: Historic England internal record, 19 June 2026 Released bundle: Consultation received 2026 emails_Redacted.pdf, page 4
Exhibit H1, page 7 of 12
Page 8
Exhibit H1.5: Historic England to the case officer, 23 September and 20 October 2025 Released bundle: HE_CCC_formal consultation emails_Redacted.pdf, page 14
Exhibit H1, page 8 of 12
Page 9
Exhibit H1.5: Historic England to the case officer, 23 September and 20 October 2025 Released bundle: HE_CCC_formal consultation emails_Redacted.pdf, page 16
Exhibit H1, page 9 of 12
Page 10
Exhibit H1.6: English Heritage's letter on the consented scheme, 11/0495/FUL Released bundle: 2011app_X_HERef_L00104702_138865_110495FUL_Redacted.pdf, page 1
Exhibit H1, page 10 of 12
EAST OF ENGLAND REGION Ms Amy Lack Cambridge City Council The Guildhall Cambridge CB2 3QJ
Direct Dial: Direct Fax: Our ref: L00104702 5 July 2011
Dear Ms Lack Notifications under Circular 01/2001, Circular 08/2009 & GDPO 1995 CHRISTS COLLEGE LIBRARY, CHRISTS COLLEGE, ST ANDREWS STREET, CAMBRIDGE Application No 11/0495/FUL Thank you for your letter of 26 May 2011 notifying us of the application for listed building consent relating to the above site. We do not wish to comment in detail, but offer the following general observations. English Heritage Advice This application has been the subject of detailed pre-application discussion with English Heritage and while we support the proposed development we have some observations on both the new building and the proposed alterations to the listed buildings. The creation of a space for visitors to view the Bodley Library and information relating to it is a very welcome development. This is part of a larger scheme to sensitively reorder the library itself and after negotiation about the removal of later additions to the furnishings and major reordering of the ground floor area we are largely content with the proposals. However, the introduction of a glass screen into the door at the north end of the library is of some concern. Bodley’s design for the library created an interior with a particular rhythm of furnishings and windows and a consistent palette of materials. To introduce a modern element into this interior, especially at the focus of a view along the central aisle of the library, could adversely affect this important interior. While I accept the need for some form of barrier to manage visitors and provide security at this point, time should be taken to explore the options for the design and materials of the new screen. I would therefore recommend that a condition requiring this be placed on any consent and that English Heritage are consulted on details submitted. The application also contains a proposal to install a glass door at the entrance from 24 BROOKLANDS AVENUE, CAMBRIDGE, CB2 8BU Telephone 01223 582 700 Facsimile 01223 582 701 www.english-heritage.org.uk English Heritage is subject to the Freedom of Information Act. All information held by the organisation will be accessible in response to a Freedom of Information request, unless one of the exemptions in the Act applies.
Page 11
Exhibit H1.6: English Heritage's letter on the consented scheme, 11/0495/FUL Released bundle: 2011app_X_HERef_L00104702_138865_110495FUL_Redacted.pdf, page 2
Exhibit H1, page 11 of 12
EAST OF ENGLAND REGION First Court to the new library court. Returning the staircase here to its original position to allow better access through the existing building is an improvement, but installing a glass door at the entrance to the stair will have a significant impact on this area. Not only will the door change the appearance of the stairwell opening from the Court, but the open nature of the stair hall, like all traditional Cambridge College stairs, will be changed. As the proposals stands, with the glass door on the First Court side of the stairs I would not support the proposal. However, discussion with the College and their consultants since the application was submitted produced the suggestion that the new door be placed under or behind the line of the repositioned staircase. This would not change the appearance from First Court and create more of a rear internal lobby to the new library court, rather than change the fundamental nature of circulation within the stairwell. I would therefore support this approach, although a revised plan will be needed to confirm it, or a condition set, as appropriate. Roofing over Bath Court will have a dramatic impact on the space between the historic building and the present library. However, this is not a formal college court (it was, in fact, a garden prior to the construction of the library in the 1970s). Furthermore, the present library does not address this space in a very positive manner. On balance we would not oppose the enclosure of the Court, but we would wish to see the simplest roof form employed, incorporating the cleanest and least fussy detailing, so that the presence of the roof does not rival views of the historic fabric. The proposed ‘ridge and furrow’ glass roof has the potential to resolve the problems set by the geometry of the buildings and the need to include the castellated parapet wall to the east elevation of the Bodley library within the glass canopy. We welcome the inclusion of indicative details supported by an engineer’s assessment for this glass roof, but note that the final solution will need to be developed in collaboration with the glass manufacture. Therefore, in the event that the applications are to be approved, it will be essential to include appropriately worded conditions requiring final details of this glass roof to be agreed before construction commences. English Heritage would wish to be consulted on those details. The issues of ventilation and smoke extract in case of fire will also need to be resolved without recourse to openings in this glass roof. When the present modern library was built Christ's Lane had a very different relationship with the public realm and this partly explains the architectural treatment on this side. The proposed treatment of the new elevation to Christ’s Lane includes a robustly detailed ground floor that incorporates narrow, defensive, slit windows in English garden wall bonded brickwork, separated from the upper floors by an expressed string course. This stringcourse also aligns with a string course on the Bodley Library and forms the coping to the screen wall that closes the gap between the new library and the south gable of the Bodley Library. The upper floors are 24 BROOKLANDS AVENUE, CAMBRIDGE, CB2 8BU Telephone 01223 582 700 Facsimile 01223 582 701 www.english-heritage.org.uk English Heritage is subject to the Freedom of Information Act. All information held by the organisation will be accessible in response to a Freedom of Information request, unless one of the exemptions in the Act applies.
Page 12
Exhibit H1.6: English Heritage's letter on the consented scheme, 11/0495/FUL Released bundle: 2011app_X_HERef_L00104702_138865_110495FUL_Redacted.pdf, page 3
Exhibit H1, page 12 of 12
EAST OF ENGLAND REGION expressed differently, incorporating a series of oriel windows set within stretcher brickwork. The decision to express the ground floor separately from the upper floors is understandable and reflects the established tradition amongst many Cambridge Colleges for a ‘defensive’ treatment to their external boundaries that becomes more open on upper floors. Such a treatment might also be seen to reflect the original garden wall that once ran along this boundary. The Christ’s Lane elevation will only be seen in oblique views up and down the lane, and the illustrative material accompanying the application suggests that a well detailed building in this form will offer real enhancement to this part of the Cambridge Central Conservation Area. One of the design's achievements is that it does not incorporate any prominent heating or ventilation plant on this elevation. In the event the application is approved, we recommend the Council consider including a condition requiring prior approval of the Local Planning Authority for the addition of any additional exterior plant. Recommendation We urge you to address the above issues, and recommend that this application be determined in accordance with national and local policy guidance, and on the basis of your expert conservation advice. It is not necessary for us to be consulted again. If you feel you need further advice, please let us know why. Please re-consult us if there are material changes to the proposals beyond those necessary to address the issues we have raised. We will then consider whether such changes might lead us to object. If they do, and if your authority is minded to grant consent, you should notify the Secretary of State of this application in accordance with Circular 08/2009. Yours sincerely
Inspector of Historic Buildings E-mail: @english-heritage.org.uk
24 BROOKLANDS AVENUE, CAMBRIDGE, CB2 8BU Telephone 01223 582 700 Facsimile 01223 582 701 www.english-heritage.org.uk English Heritage is subject to the Freedom of Information Act. All information held by the organisation will be accessible in response to a Freedom of Information request, unless one of the exemptions in the Act applies.
The first permission is quashed. The second is frozen.
On Tuesday 20 October 2026 the High Court quashed the first approval, 25/02161/FUL, on all four grounds of our claim. The Secretary of State has frozen the permission. On 13 October she directed the Council not to grant it without her authorisation while she considers whether to call the application in, six days after the identical application 26/02109/FUL was controversially approved. If you would like to support a call in, write to us and we will tell you how.
Email residents@christs-lane.com.
