Cambridge City Council has voted for a second time to grant planning permission to Christ’s to build a new Library with associated upgrading to the kitchens and dining facilities.
In a meeting at Cambridge’s Guildhall on 7 October and following detailed discussion, councillors voted by six votes to one to approve.
Simon McDonald, Master said:
“My first reaction is relief: so many people have worked so hard to secure planning permission for our Library+ project. Yesterday’s vote takes us a big step closer to having a beautiful, accessible & sustainable library.
I congratulate Grafton on their elegant design and the Bursar and his team for answering every question posed by planning officials. I also thank our donors and whole community for their patience.
The process has lasted longer than I hoped. All our opponents’ arguments have been confounded but they still have legal options. Watch this space.”
The College took the unusual step of submitting a second planning application for its Library+ Project because of the delay caused by a Judicial Review brought by Christ’s Lane Action Group against the City Council’s decision to award planning permission in October 2025.
The Judicial Review relates to the Council’s decision-making process and is scheduled for the High Court on 20 October 2026.
The second planning application is identical to the first but allowed the Council to fully address those points raised in relation to the first application, as well as assessing the impact of the new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) introduced by the Government in August 2026.
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The Library+ Project delivers:
• a new fully accessible library with a greater number and range of study spaces to suit the needs of all students.
• an accessible run of buildings which address the needs of disabled people and give access to our student cafeteria as well as the exhibition space and Special Collections Reading Room which are open to the public.
• measures including air-source heat pumps and the electrification of the College kitchens to meet the College's updated sustainability and environmental targets on the pathway to net zero carbon emissions.
• an enhanced streetscape along Christ's Lane improving the interaction between the College buildings and the street.
The College will address the conditions set out as part of the planning permission and intends to begin the next phase as soon as possible. One of the first stages of the project will be to install temporary kitchen and dining facilities in Second Court.
The Third Court Library and associated study spaces will operate for the duration of the project.