The Council has noted the remarks made on its Report on the proposed extension to the Faculty of Classics building at the Discussion held on 26 May 2009 (Reporter, p. 827). It agrees with Professor R. J. Bowring on the importance of the question of circulation of staff and students around the proposed construction site, and particularly through the entrance on Sidgwick Avenue near the eastern limit of the site via the gateway with staggered railing. While there are no records of any accident ever having taken place on this route hitherto, the Contractor's hoarding will make the route significantly narrower, with an awkward corner near the entrance to the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (FAMES) building. There are ongoing discussions involving the two Faculties most immediately concerned, the Sidgwick Site Committee, the University's Safety Adviser and Fire Officer, the Estate Management Project Manager, and the Contractor. Closing off the entrance for the duration of the construction would inconvenience users particularly of the FAMES and Classics buildings, but is one option under active and serious consideration. A final decision will need to be based on a formal risk assessment of a range of issues for health and safety and for fire escape route and consequent assembly point for users of the FAMES and Classics buildings to be undertaken with the University's and Contractor's safety advisers.
In his remarks on the Report, Professor M. Schofield referred to the provisions being made to deal with the impact of construction noise. The Council notes these provisions and notes the need for careful monitoring and for the introduction of further measures if necessary.
Professor Bowring observed that the proposed Classics extension did not figure in the overall final plan for the Sidgwick Site drawn up by Allies and Morrison. The Council wishes to draw attention to the purpose and context of the 2000 Master Plan. Whilst the Master Plan proposed broad strategies for the development of the Sidgwick Site, including the specific identification of sites for major new buildings, there was no intention to freeze the natural development of existing buildings to accommodate changing needs, and Allies and Morrison put forward the basic concept for the currently proposed Classics extension in 2006. The concept has been further developed by highly regarded local architects, and the Council notes Professor Schofield's comment that the detailed design solution is a sympathetic one.
The improvement of the Classics / FAMES courtyard is specifically described in the 2000 Master Plan and is, from the point of view of the Local Planning Authority, an integral part of any development in this corner of the Sidgwick Site. Professor Bowring's main concern is that people sitting and talking in the courtyard may disturb teaching in seminar rooms facing the courtyard. Following discussions between the Chairman of the FAMES Faculty Board and officers in the Estate Management and Building Service, it was agreed that the proposed benches in the courtyard would not be fixed but could be tried experimentally in different positions to achieve the minimum disturbance.
The Council is submitting a Grace (Grace 1, p. 882) for the approval of the recommendations in this Report.