Plans have been revealed for a “unique” climbing facility within an old Cambridge church tower. Pembroke College, part of the University of Cambridge, has set out its hopes to install 10metre climbing walls within the tower of the former Emmanuel United Reformed Congregational Church, in Trumpington Street.
The College has already undertaken work to convert the main ground floor space of the Grade II listed building into an auditorium to allow for lectures, music and other performances, and events to be held. It now wants to create a rope climbing facility within the old church tower, which the College said would be the first of its kind in the city centre.
In planning documents submitted to Cambridge City Council, it said: “The existing tower provides a rare opportunity within the city centre to utilise an existing tall space, enabling us to provide a 10metre high climb, which is deemed by professional climbers to be a medium to difficult climb.
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“During the phase one construction works, a new steel deck and elefant grating was installed in order to accommodate new ventilation equipment, which serves the main performance space within the auditorium. To this effect the existing tower has become a semi utilitarian plant space. The proposed climbing wall would reactivate the existing tower space and provide a unique opportunity to repurpose the 1874 James Cubitt tower.
“Students and Fellows will be awarded the rare views from the top of the tower staircase across Cambridge and the opportunity to experience the lofty height of the existing tower. Structural and architectural interventions will be respectful of the existing fabric and the proportions of the tower geometry.”
The plans explained that the use of the climbing facility would be controlled and limited to “registered users only”. Proposed safety measures have also been set out by the College, including a panic button for emergencies, and requiring two people who are rescue trained to always be available when the facility is open. The planning application will be considered by the city council, which is the planning authority, before it issues a decision on whether the changes can go ahead.
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