British Museum wins battle for new extension

from Evening Standard 18 December 2009

Revised plans for a £135 million extension to the British Museum have been given the go-ahead.

Camden councillors voted by nine to three last night to grant planning permission for the revised proposal, which was unexpectedly thrown out in July.

The scheme has been modified to put more than a fifth of the development in Bedford Square behind the museum below street level, with building work above the ground narrowed to allow more light to penetrate.

Museum managers also promised greater energy efficiency for the scheme, called the World Conservation and Exhibitions Centre.

They had argued the extension was utterly essential to the museum's future in creating space for conservators and scientists to work on its collections.

Work will start next month. A spokeswoman for museum trustees said they were delighted with the go-ahead after five months' delay and thanked supporters including English Heritage.

"The building will ensure the British Museum can meet its fundamental obligations of preserving, researching, displaying and lending this unparalleled collection for future generations," she said. "The building will ensure the British Museum remains one of the world's leading museums, a civic space serving a local, national and international audience."

About £92 million has been raised towards the cost of the project, designed by Lord Rogers's practice, Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners.

The original scheme was rejected following arguments from the Bloomsbury Conservation Society, among others, that the development was excessively large and its appearance would be detrimental to neighbouring listed buildings.