Plans to modernise Trinity College’s New Court with the installation of solar panels have been met with opposition from conservationist groups. The proposals would see two rows of solar panels installed on the roof of the early nineteenth-century court and alterations made to the building’s windows, walls and student accommodation.

Arguing that heating the building has become “unsustainable”, the college has issued proposals to install double-glazing and apply insulated linings to the building’s interior walls. Trinity described New Court as “inadequate for contemporary student use” in its current state, and also plans to make improvements to kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms.

Heritage groups are concerned the solar panels will be a blemish on the Grade I-listed building and that alterations to the building’s interior could cover up features such as skirting boards, as well as damage windows.

English Heritage warns the panels would be “distracting additions to the historic roofscape” and says it does not “consider that the public benefit arising from the improved thermal performance of the building should be held to justify harm to New Court”.

The junior bursar of Trinity, Rod Pullen, said the college had “consulted closely with English Heritage since planning began more than two years ago” and expressed regret at the group’s disagreement with the plans.

Trinity’s proposals have also been met with opposition from another conservation society, the Georgian Group, meaning that even if the plans are approved by Cambridge City Council next week, a government minister would need to give final approval.

The City Council’s planning officer, Sophie Pain, has already given her support to the plans, commenting that without the alterations “the functionality of the building is likely to be compromised”.

Trinity College Student Union (TCSU) President, Karim Ahmed, when approached by Varsity, commented that "as students, we support the planned renovation of New Court. We feel that the renovations are a step in the right direction, both in terms of improving facilities for occupants and enhancing energy efficiency in a popular set of rooms that almost all of us will inevitably inhabit as part of our life cycle as a Trinity student". 

"Having said that, anyone with an interest in the College will be interested in conserving its historic architecture. I believe that this is why those leading the plans have consulted a diverse body of groups throughout the planning process, so that they may enact these well-received plans with the degree of care and consideration that the 200 year-old building deserves". 

UPDATE (18:00, 10/01/2013): 

On Wednesday 9th January, Cambridge city council's planning committee voted unanimously in favour of the building plans to Trinity College. The final decision for whether the installation of solar panels goes ahead now lies with the government.