How new Huddersfield museum and gallery will look as fresh plans released
The latest plans have been released for Huddersfield’s brand-new museum and art gallery that comes as a key part of the £262m Our Cultural Heart project.
The Grade II Listed former library building at Princess Alexandra Walk is set to house the two facilities. However, another application for Listed Building Consent had to be submitted after the plans changed, with this awaiting approval.
Under Kirklees Council's original plan, the museum alone was to be placed in the historic library building, and the art gallery in a plot at Queen Street. However, financial pressures prompted a re-think, with both premises now to be co-located in the former library.
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Plans to refurbish and extend the building as the town’s new museum were approved back in July last year, but with the premises now set to house two facilities in one, a further application has been brought forward to address the changes.
A decision on the new plans is expected by November 4, 2024.
Set across six floors including the basement and roof, museum displays, art exhibitions, indoor and outdoor education space, a cafe, shop, and changing places facilities will be a feature of this new asset.
The plans for the iconic frontage of the building that sits on Princess Alexandra Walk haven’t changed from the originals and will feature some repairs and enhancements, including work to the roof.
The new plans also still feature an extension to the north of the building, towards King Street, but this will be larger than previously planned, taking up an additional 206 square metres across the levels. A new entrance will be built as part of the extension, rather than in the eastern part of the building as was approved earlier.
Amendments are also proposed to the existing stairs and lifts to maximise the available space, and some windows will be moved or infilled to better align with the internal layout of the building.
An accompanying document also explains that the “core principles and aspirations” remain the same as in the previously approved scheme, with the premises to boast a variety of displays and exhibitions, including “high-profile” touring exhibitions, a permanent collection and temporary and community exhibitions.
In addition, there will be space for education, events and socialising. The museum/gallery will also be a “strong presence” in the new town park which is set to be delivered in a subsequent phase of the wider project. The development is set to ‘breathe new life’ into the local landmark and offer “a welcoming and accessible environment for all”, the report says.
The museum and art gallery make up the second phase of the Cultural Heart scheme and are set to open to the public at the beginning of 2029, along with the new public realm.
Phase 1 of the project is well underway and concerns the Queensgate Market building which is being transformed into a new food hall, with a library in the east wing. Amended plans also had to be submitted for the library due to financial constraints which saw the building lose its top-floor events space.
The later phases will see a park, venue, multi-storey car park and development at Queen Street brought to the town.
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