Green light for National Railway Museum project

Detailed plans for a significant new building at the National Railway Museum (NRM) in York, forming part of the wider York Central scheme, have been given the go-ahead.The museum submitted a reserved matters application to City of York Council in December 2021 for the construction of a new Central Hall.Central Hall would comprise a welcome space and gallery located between the museum’s Great Hall and Station Hall. It is designed to unite the museum buildings and is a cornerstone of its Vision 2025 strategy.The plans also include a Wonderlab, aimed at inspiring children to think like engineers through experience, interactivity and play.Central Hall will feature a gallery showcasing the latest innovations in rail technology, a café overlooking the new museum square, shop, flexible event space and visitor facilities, including changing places.It has been estimated that the development could create roles for an additional 35 staff and opportunities for up to 150 additional volunteers and casual staff.The plans were previously considered by the council’s Planning Committee A in July, but a decision was deferred to allow for an Equalities Impact Assessment to be carried out by officers in respect of the walking route through the site.The scheme returned to committee yesterday (4 August 2022), with councillors voting to approve the plans, subject to conditions and the signing of a legal agreement.The decision was in line with the recommendation of an officer’s report prepared for the meeting.Judith McNicol, director of the National Railway Museum, said: “We are very pleased the planning committee has approved the Central Hall plans which will have transformative benefits for York and the wider region.”This approval will allow the museum to realise its potential as the ‘world’s railway museum’ by improving our offer, welcoming more visitors, and helping us to inspire the next generation of engineers and problem-solvers.”The Central Hall plans form an early stage of York Central, the 111-acre regeneration site which is a partnership with Network Rail, Homes England, City of York Council and the museum.Outline planning permission was granted for the York Central development in 2019, including the expansion of the museum. The project is set to create up to 2,500 homes and more than 800,000 sq ft of commercial space as part of a new commercial and residential quarter for the city.Work at the museum is due to begin in 2023 and is expected to be completed by 2025, which will mark the museum’s 50th Anniversary. The Vision 2025 plans aim to increase visitor numbers to the museum from 750,000 to 1.2 million visitors per annum.Neil McFarlane, strategic projects director at GRAHAM, added: “We understand the significance of this project for the Science Museum Group (SMG) and recognise their aspirations for Central Hall to become the gateway to the transformed museum. Our highly experienced team has a strong track record of working to deliver shared project goals.”We will be responsible for ensuring key project milestones are achieved under the Pre-Contract Services Agreement.”Architecture practice Feilden Fowles is leading the design team on Central Hall, having won an international competition in 2020.