Plans approved for next phase of museum plan

SENIOR councillors in Sunderland have given the green light for the next phase of a multi-million pound plan to revamp the city’s Museum and Winter Gardens.

- CHRIS BINDING

The cultural hub was the focal point of Sunderland City Council's most recent cabinet meeting on Thursday, where they moved forward with redevelopment plans following a significant funding award earlier this year.

This included a successful bid of £5.2m from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, which supports an estimated four-year project worth £13.6m to permanently transform the museum.

The plans, initially discussed by councillors at an Economic Prosperity Scrutiny Committee meeting back in January of this year, and later granted planning approval by the council's Planning and Highways Committee over the summer, encompass a range of changes.

These include relocating the site’s main entrance to Mowbray Park, introducing new exhibition galleries and displays, creating brand new touchdown and social spaces, as well as enhancing the winter gardens, external landscaping and the public realm.