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Museum’s plans ‘act of vandalism’
AN ambitious redevelopment of an historic quarter of the British Museum is “a needless act of vandalism”, conservation groups have claimed.
The Bloomsbury Conservation Area Advisory Committee have objected to a planned £135million extension of the Grade I-listed north-west corner of the museum.
Chairman Bill Reed said: “It makes one wonder whether the museum’s trustees have any idea of the value of architecture, or their duty of care to future generations.”
The museum wants to bore three doorways into the Great Court – designed by Robert Smirke in the early 19th century – to create an entrance to a new three-floor building with space for public exhibitions, academic study and scientific research.
Hero Granger-Taylor, chairman of the Camden Civic Society, said: “These new openings are beyond belief, and in itself grounds to refuse the application.”
The museum wants consent from Camden Council to demolish two replica Georgian houses in Montague Place, Bloomsbury. The new building is designed by architect Richard Rogers.
A museum spokeswoman said the plans were supported by English Heritage and the Commission for Architecture and Built Environment (CABE). |
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