Leaden Hall – An Update (January 2026)

Leaden Hall has evolved over the centuries and through most of its long history has served the Cathedral’s life. During its recent use as a school for over seventy years changes were made that included new buildings in the grounds and the addition of an outdoor swimming pool and tennis courts.

Understandably, with a Grade 1 Listed building such as this, there is interest in how the site will be restored and used, with differing opinions and some concerns.

Our plans will give the place a new lease of life, sensitively restoring the building and providing a new sense of purpose for the future. Historic England has recently commented positively on the proposals which, they say, would bring Leaden Hall back into good repair and beneficial use, and improve its setting. The National Conservation Service supports our plans for the archive and the Environment Agency is happy with its protection from any flood risk.

You can read more about the plans in the brochure Leaden Hall: Enhancing our heritage for everyone (2024).

Let’s look at some of the comments that have been made around the plans…

What is the focus of the proposal?

The proposal is about co-locating existing functions that the Cathedral is already delivering, in an appropriate setting. The Close is home to schools, museums, residential properties, cafes and independent businesses. The Cathedral welcomes over a quarter of a million visitors annually and many tens of thousands more pass through and use the Close for recreation and contemplation. The focus of the plans is to unite the educational, cultural, administrative and archival functions of the Cathedral, all of which support its mission and are vital to the role the Cathedral plays in the spiritual, cultural and economic life of our city.

Is converting a Grade 1 listed building for office, event and archive use appropriate or will it cause harm to its character?

Leaden Hall was used as a school until September 2017. It is an institutional building which has never been in private ownership and through most of its history has been part of the Cathedral’s common life. Our proposal is consistent with that history. The Cathedral currently uses some ancillary buildings on the site for our Education Team’s work, and Stephenson Hall in the grounds is a further base for this and for some meetings.

The first element of the application is to change the use from purely educational and to repair and refurbish the main building to provide office and meeting space. The second is to establish a purpose-built archive and reading room for the Cathedral’s archives. Historic England has emphasised the critical need to address the deterioration of Leaden Hall and are satisfied that the overall harm has been reduced and, where any residual harm remains, it has been ‘clearly and convincingly justified.’

An architect's impression of the restored Leaden Hall site as an aerial view — An aerial impression of the restored Leaden Hall site

Will the plans lead to the loss of historic gardens and landscape?

While the site has a long history, it has seen extensive change over the centuries to ensure it remains functional. For example, there is currently a disused swimming pool, play area and former tennis courts within the garden walls. The Cathedral’s plans would see improvements, including the removal of an unsightly UPVC conservatory, restoration of the remaining formal garden alongside the main building, the establishment of a meadow margin for wildlife adjacent to the river and the planting of woodland plants under existing trees.

The formal knot garden next to Leaden Hall, in its current condition — The formal knot garden next to Leaden Hall, which will be restored

A view of the rear of Leaden Hall with the large conservatory attached — The conservatory on the rear of Leaden Hall will be removed

Will the new archive building be appropriate for the heritage and landscape setting?

The current Cathedral archive collection is divided between two sites, meaning it is a challenge to manage, care for and provide access. While adequate, the current stores do not meet modern standards for this internationally significant collection. The proposed archive building is supported by the National Conservation Service, which already advises the Cathedral on other matters, including the care and environmental monitoring of Magna Carta.

The design of the archive has been inspired by the shape, materials and colours of Leaden Hall and the original canonry on the site (since demolished). It has been deliberately designed as an attractive and appealing building which can be glimpsed from different views. Its flood risk has been carefully planned to satisfy the Environment Agency and the Cathedral’s insurance company.

The plans propose the removal of 1053m² of development footprint from the site, including the modern UPVC conservatory on the rear of Leaden Hall. New build will be limited to the proposed archive building which is 381m² i.e. around a third of that which will removed.

The archive would be built on a grassed area that has, most recently, been used as a play area for pupils at the school.

Historic England refers to the design as ‘a handsome building belonging to that strand of current architecture which reinterprets traditional forms and materials in a contemporary way.’ Further, Historic England accepts the Cathedral’s detailed explanation why an archive building cannot be accommodated in the Works Yard area to the south of the Cloisters, as some have suggested.

Several other cathedrals and historic sites have constructed buildings within their grounds to support their wider mission. They have been designed with care to reflect their surroundings and, in some cases, have become award-winning. Examples can be found at Canterbury and Norwich Cathedrals and at Lambeth Palace.

Has Leaden Hall been neglected?

Leaden Hall returned to the Cathedral’s ownership at the end of 2017. In 2018 the Cathedral, as the rest of Salisbury, was severely affected in the impact of the Novichok attack. Plans continued to be developed for the site during this time, until the pandemic forced a halt.

Work re-started in late 2020 and the developing plans for shared through two stakeholder engagement sessions held in 2022 and 2023. The current planning application was submitted in January 2024.

Maintenance and remedial works have been undertaken on the building, most recently roof repairs, with the approval of the Wiltshire Conservation Officer and Historic England. Since February 2025 the Cathedral has been seeking permission for some additional, pressing works. This is still pending approval.

The Cathedral has recently completed its award-winning 40-year restoration and major repair programme on the Cathedral itself, demonstrating the seriousness with which it regards the care of the heritage within its charge.

Will the plans harm views painted by John Constable?

John Constable produced more than 300 paintings and sketches of Salisbury and the surrounding area. The Close has necessarily changed considerably in the two hundred years since his era – for example, additional buildings were constructed either side of Leaden Hall during the late 20^th century.

Our plans for Leaden Hall have taken into consideration many of the artist’s works and will not affect any of his most famous views, including ‘Salisbury from the Water Meadows’ (with the rainbow) and ‘Salisbury Cathedral from the Bishop’s Grounds’. Indeed, the proposed plans will remove classroom blocks from around Leaden Hall and open up the view of the west facade from the water meadows.

View of the rear of Leaden Hall with the conservatory attached — The view of the rear of Leaden Hall from the water meadows will be improved by the removal of the conservatory

View of lawn area with low wooden buidings alongside — Some of the former classrooms that will be removed, opening up views of the river and water meadows

Have alternative locations been considered for the archive and education activity?

Yes. Prior to developing the application, the Cathedral carefully considered its options across The Close and subsequently we have supplied a detailed assessment of why the archive would best be located on the proposed site and why reusing other buildings is less suitable.

View of scrubby lawn area with disused tennis courts beyond — The location of the proposed archive, to the south of Leaden Hall (most recently used as a play area by pupils of the school), with the disused tennis courts beyond

Leaden Hall offers an ideal home for the office, archive and educational needs located together, that do not fit and are not appropriate on the south side of the Cathedral in the Works Yard. Wiltshire Council’s Senior Conservation officer states ‘the archive should of course remain within The Close and the application has demonstrated consideration of alternative sites. The location of the archive adjacent to the offices offers numerous benefits to the applicant, staff and users of both facilities. I am therefore satisfied that there are no other buildings or sites where this could be achieved.’

Will the solar panels and heat pumps be intrusive?

The proposed ground-based solar panels and air source heat pumps support the Cathedral’s commitment to attaining Net Zero Carbon, as do the solar panels on the roof of the Cathedral Cloisters, which were approved and installed in 2020.

The location of the solar panels, on the former tennis courts, is south facing, discreet and naturally screened by established trees and a 2m wall. There would be 168 panels (to meet the government definition of a ‘solar farm’, the arrangement would have to be 13 times the size).

A noise impact assessment of the proposed air source heat pumps was undertaken in line with Wiltshire Council’s noise policy. The results show that any noise will have ‘very low/negligible adverse impact’.

Will there be traffic and access issues?

The proposal does not include any additional parking spaces, and vehicle numbers are expected to be the same as they are currently, which is considerably less than when Leaden Hall was in use as a school.

What are the benefits of the proposals for Leaden Hall?

The plans would deliver a range of benefits for the Cathedral’s wider communities, including:

The repair and viable long-term use for the Grade 1 listed historic building and its surroundings in the Salisbury Conservation Area
Removal of classroom blocks, decking and a modern conservatory from around the main building, resulting in much improved views
A dedicated and safe base for the Cathedral education activities, including school visits
A visible and welcoming location for the first time for visitors to the Cathedral offices
Appropriate meeting spaces for Cathedral, diocese and city partners
The proposed low-energy development and on-site renewable energy sources will dramatically reduce the operational carbon emissions of the building
Planting and garden maintenance of the landscape will bring the site into good repair. This will include restoration of the existing formal garden, creation of a woodland area and a new orchard meadow
A purpose-built, secure archive that meets modern conservation standards, using natural materials, and offering more appropriate access for study
Unification of the Cathedral’s disparate offices on one site, with a clear presence
Use of the building by the Cathedral will allow public access of the Grade 1 listed building and grounds

Drone shot of Salisbury Cathedral in its Close, taken from the south east — Salisbury Cathedral Close from the south east

Additional Information

This information also available as a pdf document: Leaden Hall update January 2026

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