University of Oxford – Weston Library

The redevelopment and refurbishment of the Grade-II Listed New Bodleian Library, now called the Weston Library, is not only one of the most high-profile redevelopment projects to be undertaken by the University of Oxford in recent years, but also a key part of the University’s wider strategy to improve library services for students and academics. Turnberry provided planning advice to inform the preparation of the Library’s strategy and delivered planning and listed building consents for the redevelopment.

The University’s aim for the redevelopment was to create a world-class facility for the storage and study of the Libraries’ unique ‘special collections’; along with facilities for greater public access to these rare and important books and manuscripts. Wilkinson Eyre Architects was appointed to prepare a scheme which delivered these aspirations whilst also sensitively respecting the character of the original design and the building’s historic surroundings.

Turnberry’s involvement from the outset of the project (including advising on the planning implications of the wider libraries strategy, organising early stakeholder engagement and advising on the appointment of Wilkinson Eyre Architects) helped considerably when presenting the proposals to Oxford City Council during the pre-application process. Turnberry also worked closely with the University to design and implement a comprehensive programme of public and stakeholder engagement which helped the scheme achieve planning permission and listed building consent in less than eight weeks.