Accessibility statement

Protecting listed features on campus

Posted on 27 September 2018

When we plan the development of our campus, we are mindful of protecting buildings and other features that we - and other groups - see as important.

A view of the Dryad sculpture by Austin Wright with Heslington Hall in the background.

With this in mind, we engaged Historic England to consider our emerging development plans and help us to assess what needs to be preserved, and where it would be acceptable for us to remove or significantly alter particular buildings or features. The outcome of this is that the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has applied Grade II listing to some of our buildings and features. These new listings include:

  • Derwent College, including 'Old' Langwith College
  • The covered walkway between Derwent College and Central Hall
  • Central Hall
  • The ramp, including the Austin Wright sculpture, leading to the Library bridge
  • Austin Wright's Dryad sculpture, near Heslington Hall
  • Much of the Campus West landscape, which has been listed as a Registered Park and Garden

Features that were already listed include Heslington Hall, the Quiet Place and the Walled Garden. Listing is a defined process rather than a negotiation, but we were able to give our thoughts on what is important. In particular, we understand the rationale for the listing of the Derwent/Langwith College and Central Hall which were part of the original campus. We're also proud that the listing as a Registered Park and Garden gives our grounds the same designation as some of Britain's finest estates.

Historic England has confirmed that it doesn't see a need for other Campus West features to be listed, which means that we have a clear understanding of how we can plan future developments.

The listing decisions will mean that we need to revisit some of our development plans. We'll continue to work with Historic England, The Gardens Trust and City of York Council to ensure that we understand which features matter most to them, and why. City of York Council will be the lead body making most decisions about the work on or near listed assets, with some input from the Gardens Trust on landscape matters. We hope to work with them to establish agreed operation and maintenance plans.