Background
Edgars has been working with Radley College to prepare a masterplan which will help deliver the College’s vision to increase bursary and scholarship places.
The College Chapel was no longer able to accommodate the whole school or hold services effectively and with the expansion of the College to include additional bursary and scholarship places, these issues would become more acute. After assessing many options, an extension to the Chapel to increase seating was identified as essential, both for the future viability and operation of the school and to maintain the original Christian ethos and longstanding traditions since the College’s inception.
In addition, a number of deficiencies within the building regarding the organ location, lighting, heating, disabled access and flexible seating provision needed to be addressed with alterations.
The challenge
There were a number of significant issues and designations that required sensitive consideration as part of the planning and listed building process.
These included a full assessment of the significance of the Grade II* Listed Chapel, including the cultural aspect of whole school Chapel, an assessment of the potential “harm” to the building and the public benefits which would result from the proposal.
The solution
Following an assessment of the building’s history and significance and a design competition run by the College, Edgars, in conjunction with Purcell, led the negotiations with the local planning authority and Historic England at pre-application stage. Further consultation events were held with amenity societies.
Edgars prepared a statement of need in collaboration with the College and, together with a comprehensive drawing package, secured pre-application agreement from Historic England and the local planning authority that the proposals created “less than substantial harm” to the Grade II* listed building and that public benefits outweighed the harm.
The result
Planning Permission and Listed Building Consent were both granted within the statutory eight week period in August 2018 with only four conditions. The extension works were completed in 2021.
“I’m not one for compliments, however, Edgars is by far our most valuable and reliable consultant and the can-do attitude makes them a joy to work with.” – David Anderson, Radley College Bursar
If you’re looking for planning consultants to assist you with commercial buildings, education facilities, masterplanning and more, we can help. Get in touch with us on 01865731700 or email enquiries@edgarslimited.co.uk.