A university has failed to remove rooftop ventilation units blocking out historic views of Canterbury Cathedral - despite an enforcement notice ordering it to do so.

Canterbury Christ Church University fell foul of planning regulations when it installed the 10ft high air conditioning plant on top of its flagship £65 million Verena Holmes science and medical building in 2021.

Conservationists branded the plant a blot on the skyline and Canterbury City Council later ordered its complete removal.

But while the enforcement notice remains active, university bosses sought and were granted planning permission to retain some of it behind new screening, with the rest brought down to ground level, which the council has granted but has yet to be implemented.

However, the mitigated arrangements have done little to appease some objectors.

“It does nothing to restore the classic view from the terrace of St Martin's churchyard,” says city historian Hubert Pragnell.

“This can only be done by the removal of all the objects or apparatus from the roof.

“These were set up without planning permission and certainly not with any concern for the impact on surrounding views. But, basically the building is too high.”

A city council spokesman says a live planning enforcement notice is still in place requiring the existing units to be removed by September.

"Separate to that, we granted planning permission in April 2024 for the reconfiguration of the rooftop plant and to install screening,” he added.

“This has not been implemented yet, but if it is, then no further action would be taken on the enforcement notice.

"The recent amendment to that planning permission related specifically to the condition on how noise from the plant is measured.”

A spokesman for the university said: “We are working closely with Canterbury City Council and key local stakeholders to take appropriate measures on the approved alterations in line with agreed timelines.”