Listed building alterations at Mansfield College, Mansfield Road, Oxford

“This application concerns the site of Mansfield College, which is located on the west side of Mansfield Road, northeast of the city centre, close to the University Science Area and Parks. It is bounded to the north by the University’s Chemistry Research Laboratory, and to the northwest by the Rothmere American Institute. The grounds of Wadham College (a Grade II Registered Park and Garden, NHLE ref.”

“The Mansfield College site is dominated by a large oval lawn, to the north of which is situated the North Range. This was built in 1887-1889 to the designs of Basil Champneys and comprises the College’s original buildings. The North Range includes the Chapel (now used as a dining hall), Entrance Tower (originally the main point of entry to the College), Library, Master’s Lodgings, and teaching and common rooms.”

“Listed building consent for internal alterations to the Main Building to provide wheelchair lift to East Staircase, stair hand rails/ropes and associated works and escape route lighting and signage v Ref. No: 05/01762/LBC | Status: Approved…”

“Two storey extension to dining hall to provide new kitchen facilities and link to chapel. Formation of terrace in quad and alteration to existing openings to form doorways. Internal alterations involving removal of walls installation of lift. Ref. No: 10/03031/LBD | Status: Approved…”

“Whether the harm is caused is less than substantial and there are sufficient public benefits to outweigh it…”

“Whilst Officers have identified that aspects of the proposals would result in less than substantial harm to the Grade II* listed North Range at Mansfield College, each harmful intervention has been clearly and convincingly justified, and there would be sufficient public benefits stemming from the proposals to outweigh the less than substantial harm, regard for the great weight that must be given to the preservation of designated heritage assets.”

“In a letter dated 23rd December 2025: ‘Thank you for consulting the Gardens Trust in its role as Statutory Consultee on the above application which may impact the significance of the setting of Wadham College, a Grade II registered park and garden (RPG) included by Historic England on the Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest.”

“In a letter dated 16 th February 2026: ‘Historic England has no objection to this application, which has been informed through pre-application advice. Overall the proposals have been well considered and sensitively respond to the significance of Champney’s North Range. The adaptations required to provide the connections between the North Range and the new lift extension have been well thought out.”

“The Heritage Officer gave a presentation outlining the details of the location and the proposal. This included site photos and existing and proposed elevations and plans: • The listed building consent application concerned Mansfield College and sought permission for a number of interventions to the Grade II* listed North Range in order to improve its functionality and support the wider proposals across the college that had just been considered under the associated planning…”

“The lift extension also formed part of the associated planning application and would provide disabled access to the college library and a new librarians office. • Officers considered that the heritage benefit arising from the reinstatement of the elements of the listed buildings original design outweighed the harm resulting from the loss of the bomb shelter.”

“On being proposed, seconded, and put to the vote, the Committee agreed with the officer’s recommendation to approve the application for the reasons set out in the report and subject to conditions including the two additional conditions and a legal agreement.”

“The Oxford City Planning Committee resolved to: 1. Approve the application for the reasons given in the report and subject to the recommended listed building conditions set out in section 12 of this report, grant listed building consent and 2.”