The call in
The Planning Casework Unit’s letter to the group, 13 October 2026
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The Planning Casework Unit’s letter to the group of 13 October 2026, sent at 8.37 pm: a direction had been issued that day which "prevents the Council from granting planning permission without special authorisation".
The document in full
Page 1
OFFICIAL
Christ's Lane Action Group residents@christs-lane.com
Please ask for:
Rachael Beard
Email:
Rachael Beard@communities.gov.uk
Your ref:
26/02109/FUL
Our ref:
PCU/RTI/Q0505/3379309
Date:
13 October 2026
Dear Christ’s Lane Action Group Application by Lord Simon McDonald for Demolition of 1970s library and replacement with new library, social and study spaces including re-provision of bridge to the Bodley Library. Alterations to kitchen, Upper Hall and adjacent areas including new plant, access improvements and alterations to wc, provision in the south east range of Second Court. Relandscaping of Bath Court and ancillary works, installation of temporary kitchen and dining facility in Second Court for the duration of the works. at Christs College Library Christs College St Andrews Street Cambridge Cambridgeshire (application no: 26/02109/FUL )
Thank you for your email of 13 October asking the Secretary of State to call in the above planning application. In this instance, you will wish to know that an Article 31 Direction under the Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) (England) Order 2015 was issued by the Planning Casework Unit on 13 October, the effect of which prevents the Council from granting planning permission without special authorisation. The application will be considered in due course and your views, along with all other relevant information, will be taken into account before the Secretary of State decides whether or not to call-in the application for determination. Please note that as you have made representations about a planning application which is before the Secretary of State, it may be necessary to make your letter available to a third party should that party make a request for information on representations made to the Secretary of State on the application. Any personal or identifying information will be removed before release. Yours sincerely Rachael Beard Senior Planning Casework Manager Planning Casework Unit.
Planning Casework Unit OFFICIAL Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government 23 Stephenson Street Birmingham B2 4BH
Tel: 0303 44 48050 pcu@communitues.gov.uk
Page 2
OFFICIAL
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.