Museum News

Planning permission for a new extension!

It was ‘third time lucky’ in our attempts to persuade the planners of the need for an extension to West Lodge and perhaps a good omen that the formal permission was issued in time for the AGM of Frenchay Tuckett Society (FTS) last month.

This milestone has been achieved with the help and support of Councillor Ben Burton who joined us for a presentation to South Glos Planning Committee, who made the actual decision on 3rd March.

The journey started in the autumn of 2017, shortly after concluding a new 125 year lease, with a feasibility study which looked at all aspects of the Museum’s future. At that time, it was hoped to have something ready for the 20th anniversary of the original opening in April 2000, so the new target is 2025! (Perhaps with celebrations extending onto the ‘new’ Village Green.)

Our design proposals tick all the architectural & conservation boxes and will provide additional multi-use display & meeting space, proper storage, an inside toilet and a dedicated office /work room. The plans also include an outside activity area, a fenced garden alongside the new road from the mini-roundabout and general improvements to the setting of the old Lodge.

We have already taken advice from heritage mentors about the implementation of our plans - both financially and in terms of supporting current volunteers and the existing week-to-week operations.

An illustration of how the extended building would look appears below, but you can access more comprehensive plans and elevations through the South Gloucestershire Planning Portal (BETA) under reference P20/17040/F.

If you would like to contribute in any way to the realisation of these ambitions to secure the long-term future of the Museum - as we move from an ‘analogue’ to the ‘digital’ age - please contact me.

Hugh Whatley (Chair - FTS)
T = 0117 956 6378
M = 0777 552 2689
E = HWandCo@aol.com