Historic houses to be converted into moden student flats
PERMISSION GRANTED FOR WORK AT ST JOHN’S COLLEGE BUILDINGS
PLANS to transform two Grade IIlisted properties into new student accommodation for a Cambridge college have been given the green light.
The houses, at 12 and 12A Madingley Road, were built in 1888 and 1911 respectively.
The application was put forward by St John’s College and will see the homes refurbished into nine self-contained student apartments.
Other measures include repurposing the Fruit Store to provide cycle parking and a plant room, and replacing the former garage.
It is hoped this will improve the quality of accommodation and provide a more modern arrangement for students.
The plans will also involve associated works, such as new internal doorways, windows and security measures including CCTV cameras, among others.
Concerns were initially raised by The Victorian Society regarding some of the proposed improvements. These included the internal insulation and damage to window reveals resulting in the loss of historic features and harm to the significance of the building.
A planning statement submitted with the application, said: “The proposed works will allow the existing St John’s College-owned properties to be refurbished to provide higherquality student accommodation which better meets the needs of postgraduate students.
“The accommodation is sustainably located close to the main College site, the sports ground and is within comfortable walking/cycling distance of both the city centre and University facilities on the edge of centre and at West Cambridge.
“More than adequate cycle parking is being provided. These works will also involve structural repairs, particularly to No.12A and the fruit store and tie-in with insurance works to the linking bridge. The roofs will be recovered, prolonging the useful life of the buildings, and the opportunity taken to replace rotten timbers in for example the balcony at first floor level in the south front. Whilst the presence of bats roosting in Nos. 12 and 12A have been noted, it is very clear that with the appropriate levels of care over timing of works, and with the necessary licences and supervision, the works can proceed without endangering the bats.”
The application can be viewed in full on the Cambridge City Council planning portal, searching 23/04387/FUL.