Internal museum learning centre works at Worcester City Museum And Art Gallery, Worcester

What was proposed

Internal ground-floor works would create a museum learning centre by infilling two arches, concealing panelling and removing cornices for storage.

“Extract of Site Location Plan 3. The proposals 3.1 Listed building consent is sought for purely internal works at ground floor level, to facilitate the creation of a new learning centre associated with the museum, which would be accessed from the existing ground floor retail area.”

“Arches proposed to be infilled and section of panelling where a new opening is proposed. The proposed internal works involve the infilling of arched openings with timber frames supporting plasterboards and insulating rolls and are confined to the northeastern area of the ground floor office space. The proposed panels would completely infill the arched openings and encapsulate the window openings in the screen, thus retaining them un-altered and in situ.”

Officer report

The site and building

The Grade II* museum and art gallery is a prominent historic building in the Foregate Street and The Tything Conservation Area.

“Background 1.1 The application was registered on 25 November 2025 and was due for a decision on 20 January 2026. An extension of time for the determination of the application has been agreed until 17 February 2026, to allow determination by the Planning Committee. The application has been referred to the Planning Committee in accordance with the adopted Scheme of Delegation, because the Council is the applicant. 2.”

“The site is highly accessible, being within walking distance of Worcester Foregate Street railway station and the nearby Crown Gate bus station, along with the primary retail and leisure uses in the city centre and local neighbourhood areas. Formerly known as ‘The Victoria Institute’, the building, including its gates, is Grade II* listed, having been upgraded on 5 July 2001 from its initial Grade II listing on 5 April 1971.”

Officer report

Earlier works and applications

Earlier approvals included ground-floor office conversion, internal refurbishment, a lift, toilets, café facilities and a kitchenette.

“Planning History 5.1 The site has been the subject of the following planning applications: A135 - Box sign (Wrought iron with bronze and pearl glass panels on 3 sides, with words "City Library". Approved 16 March 1951 A1019 - a) non illuminated single sided fascia panel 11ft 0in by 2ft 0in high comprising red lettering 9in high on off white ground, on proposed shopfront.”

“Conditionally approved by the Secretary of State. February 1990 A95M0050 - Display of four 2500mm x 750mm textile banners hung from two decorative steel brackets, application under Regulation 11 of the Town & Country Planning General Regulations 1992. L14D0042 - Application under regulation 13 of the planning (Listed Building and Conservation Areas) regulations for the internal Refurbishment of the ground floor of the building to provide office accommodation.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended consent because the limited, reversible works would support a compatible public use and the modest heritage harm would be outweighed by public benefits.

“The relocation of office furniture has revealed some limited damage to the door between the entrance lobby and the office accommodation, which appears to have occurred with the door closer was installed. On the basis that the proposed works relate to the use of this door it is considered appropriate to impose a condition requiring a method statement for its repair and completion of the approved works before the first use of the learning centre. 8.”

“When weighed against the public benefits of utilising this relatively underused part of the ground floor of the building, for a learning centre that would further maintain and enhance the current optimal public use of the building, it is concluded that the modest harm is outweighed.”

Officer report

Heritage and public responses

Historic England and the heritage officer raised no objection subject to suitable methods and materials, while no public comments were received.

“The following comments from statutory and non-statutory consultees have been received: Historic England: Site Context & Heritage Significance Worcester Museum & Art Gallery is one of the city’s landmark public buildings, and key contributor to the Foregate Street & The Tything Conservation Area. It was originally built as the ‘Victoria Institute’ in 1894-6 by architects John W. Simpson & E. J. Milner Allen, marking Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.”

“While the proposed changes impact the internal character of the ground floor of the building, specifically by obscuring panelling and subdivision of what is currently a more open space, these changes represent a low level of less than substantial harm and facilitate the ongoing function of the building for its original purpose as a cultural and learning space. Revealing the previously concealed original door from the foyer is particularly welcomed.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Head of Museums and Tourism spoke for the applicant about the need for dedicated learning space and returning offices to public use.

What members discussed

Members welcomed the detailed approach, the building’s adaptation for learning, discovery of the historic door and storage of removed elements.

“The applicant informed Committee Members that the Museum doesn't have a dedicated learning space, and it does limit the amount of learning that can happen in the space, for example a school can't bring more than one class to the Art Gallery and Museum. This is an opportunity to configure the downstairs space of the Museum which has been used since 2014 as City Council offices.”

“Committee Members were informed that part of the planning work enabled a discovery of an historic door from the foyer that has been hidden for a long time. This includes a Norton system door closer which was made in Birmingham and possibly is the only one left that was original to the building. There will be a need to remove a small number of elements of the building to make the proposal work.”

Minutes

The committee vote

Members approved the application by nine votes to none, with no abstentions.

“A proposal to approve the application had been made and this was seconded. There being no further points made the Chair requested the voting of each Member of the Committee who were eligible to vote. Following the recording of the votes the proposal was agreed as recommended.”

Minutes

The decision

Listed Building Consent was granted subject to the conditions covering the approved plans, stored historic fabric and repair of the lobby door.

“RESOLVED: That the Committee grant Listed Building Consent, subject to the conditions set out in section 9 of the report.”

Minutes