Accessible museum entrance at Washington F Pit, Albany, Washington

“Proposal: Installation of new accessible entrance link, to the South elevation of the extension to the Colliery Engine Winding House.”

“PROPOSAL It is proposed to provide a new accessible entrance to the south elevation of The Engine house. The works will include a new door, extract fan exhaust and localised reduction in levels, to accommodate level threshold access.”

“SITE The site to which the application relates is the F-Pit Museum located within Albany Park. The Park itself was formed from land reclaimed from the former Washington Colliery.”

“The Engine House and attached steel headgear were the only built structures that were retained. The Engine House has been converted into a museum dedicated to the mining history of the area. The structure is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and a Grade II Listed building.”

“Following consultation, the Council's Heritage Officer confirmed that the Conservation Team is fully supportive of the above application. The Council's Heritage Officer confirmed that the proposed new accessible entrance to the F Pit Winding House, is part of the wider regeneration project for the development of the F Pit Museum site recently granted consent under application 25/02696/LP3 and that includes a new heritage visitor centre and café, exhibition space, play area,…”

“The Museum development also includes a comprehensive package of repair, conservation and improvement works to the Winding House that will be subject to a separate Scheduled Monument Consent (SMC) application to Historic England.”

“As has been noted previously, some of the work will require Scheduled Monument Consent (SMC) from the Secretary of State for DCMS, which Historic England facilitate. The H.E. Officer states that SMC has not yet been applied for, however, should it be granted, it will include a condition for archaeological monitoring during the groundworks.”

“The County Archaeologist confirmed that the proposed works will include some localised reduction in ground levels to accommodate the proposed level threshold access. Historic England have stated that some of the work will require scheduled monument consent (SMC), and that if granted it will include a condition for archaeological monitoring during the groundworks.”

“Internal/external consultees Council's Conservation Team - The proposed accessible entrance is part of a wider regeneration project that will conserve and enhance the F Pit Winding House SAM / Listed Building and bring substantial benefits in terms of sustaining and improving the F Pit's Museum offer as a key visitor attraction.”

“County Archaeologist - The proposed works will include some localised reduction in ground levels to accommodate the proposed level threshold access. Historic England have stated that some of the work will require scheduled monument consent (SMC), and that if granted it will include a condition for archaeological monitoring during the groundworks. I therefore consider that no additional conditions related to archaeology are required in relation to this application.”

“Public consultation for the application has been carried out in the form of letters to residential neighbours and site notices and a press notice.”

“There being no further questions or comments from Members, the Chairperson put the Officers recommendation, as set out in the report to the Committee. it was:-”

“RESOLVED that Members GRANT planning permission under Regulation 3 of the Town and Country Planning General Regulations 1992 (as amended), subject to the draft conditions set out within the report…”