St Catherine’s College is seeking permission to keep a temporary lecture theatre in place for an additional year while major repair work continues on buildings affected by unsafe concrete.

The college restricted access to parts of its campus in 2023 after reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete, commonly known as Raac, was discovered in several roofs across the site.

The material was identified in the college’s kitchen, dining hall, administration building, Wolfson Library, and the upper floors of original accommodation blocks.

Raac has become a major safety concern across the United Kingdom in recent years because the lightweight concrete material can weaken over time and pose structural risks.

The affected buildings at St Catherine’s College date back to the 1960s and were designed by renowned Danish architect Arne Jacobsen.

The college campus is also Grade I listed, meaning repairs and structural changes require careful planning and approval to preserve the site’s historic and architectural significance.

Representatives for the college said replacement work has been progressing steadily, with parts of the administration building, student social areas, kitchen, and dining facilities already partially restored and back in use.

However, the college has requested an extension for the temporary lecture theatre marquee, which was originally approved for a two-year period beginning in April 2024.

Officials say additional time is needed because work continues on the Bernard Sunley Building, which includes one of the college’s main lecture theatres.

The temporary structure has allowed teaching and academic activities to continue while construction and roof replacement work takes place.

The planning application for the extension is currently awaiting a decision from Oxford City Council.

Universities and public institutions across the UK have been carrying out extensive inspections and repairs after Raac was identified in schools, hospitals, and other older buildings nationwide.

The issue has prompted wider discussions about infrastructure safety, maintenance funding, and the long-term challenges of preserving aging public buildings.