Museum's extension plans approved

About 33,000 people visit the museum each year

Plans for a modern extension to a Georgian museum in Bath have been approved by councillors.

The revised version of the design for the city's Holburne Museum will provide new galleries, display and education areas, a shop and a cafe.

Opponents of the scheme describe it as "uncompromisingly modern" and "totally inappropriate for a conservation area".

The committee does not have the final say on the matter which rests with the Secretary of State.

The museum in Great Pulteney Street is a Grade I-listed building in a Grade II-listed landscape.

Planners approved the design by seven votes to four with one abstention.

The Director of the museum, Alexander Sturgis said he was: "Thrilled, really excited and really, really pleased."

The work will require internal and external alterations including repositioning a staircase and building a new extension.

The Grade I-listed building is in Grade II-listed grounds

"There's nothing about the extension that's in keeping with Bath - it's just a modern industrial unit," said Vince Baughan from the Halt The Holburne website campaign.

"Every other building you can see around it is made from Bath stone and the planners should be considering that."

But the director of the museum, Alexander Sturgis, believes the new extension is the only way forward for the museum.

"What's exciting about the potential here is that we can really have a museum that works and that encourages people in, not only from Bath but nationally as well."

About 33,000 people visit the museum each year.