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ST ANDREWS AND DOCKLAND 19/00573/LBC Hull Maritime Museum, Queen Victoria Square, Kingston upon Hull, HU1 3DX Listed Building Consent for:-, 1) Internal refurbishment involving the redesign of the 1970's exhibitions, to be replaced by a new exhibition interpretation, additional museum spaces, renewal of the historic architecture, improved education and visitor facilities, and access for all strategy., 2) Erection of a new extension within the courtyard of the museum following demolition of existing courtyard extension., 3) Repair works to external elevations and roof, and a new entrance ramp to provide access from the street into the building., Part of Hull Yorkshire's Maritime City Project. Purcell SUMMARY - Internal and external alterations and extensions to a Grade II* listed museum. - No objections received. - Recommended for conditional approval. SITE The application site is located at a focal point within the city centre, forming a key element in the north-eastern frontage to Queen Victoria Square, the western edge of Queens Gardens and Monument Bridge, and set within the Old Town Conservation Area. The site is occupied by the Grade II* Iisted Hull Maritime Museum, formerly Dock Offices, built in 1868-71 of Ancaster stone on a Bramley Fall stone plinth, in the Venetian Revival style, with much nautical-themed decoration. To the north-east and east the site overlooks the rose bowl to Queens Gardens and down the length of Alfred Gelder Street, whilst to the south-east and south across Carr Lane stands Beverley Gate and the mouth to Whitefriargate beyond, and the Grade II listed Monument Buildings, occupied by retail uses, respectively. To the north-west, across the pedestrianised and brief stretch of Cross Street faces Dock Office Chambers and the Grade II listed former Yorkshire Penny Bank. The view across Queen Victoria Square takes in, from north to south, Stonefield House, locally listed Queen’s House, the Grade II* City Hall, Grade II listed Ferens Art gallery and Monument buildings, with views through to the similarly designated Princes Dock beyond. PROPOSAL Listed Building Consent for:-, 1) Internal refurbishment involving the redesign of the 1970's exhibitions, to be replaced by a new exhibition interpretation, additional museum spaces, renewal of the historic architecture, improved education and visitor facilities, and access for all strategy., 2) Erection of a new extension within the courtyard of the museum following demolition of existing courtyard extension., 3) Repair works to external elevations and roof, and a new entrance ramp to provide access from the street into the building., Part of Hull Yorkshire's Maritime City Project. PLANNING HISTORY 19/00572/FULL - 1) Erection of a new extension within the courtyard of the museum following demolition of existing courtyard extension. 2) Repair works to external elevations and roof, and a new entrance ramp to provide access from the street into the building. Part of Hull Yorkshire's Maritime City Project. Pending decision REPRESENTATIONS Historic England (LBC) - No objection on heritage grounds. The submission is exemplary in approach and detail, providing a balanced approach to assessing impact on significance, with minimisation and mitigation of harm, and the delivery of considerable public benefits. The insertion of a multi-height glazed atrium is a major intervention, but at present, the area detracts from the architectural interest of the building, and there is an opportunity to introduce a creative new use which enhances how the form of the building is appreciated and understood. Detailed matters raised by the Council’s Conservation Officer relating to an original door, balustrades and handrails, and design of ventilation and services should be addressed. Conservation - The proposed internal adaptations are by and large thoughtful, sensitive, and intelligently managed, and will enable the building to become a cutting edge museum whilst respecting its special historic and architectural interest. Detailed drawings are required to depict the impact of converting existing windows in the domes to access doors for maintenance. Door DG08 should be retained in the absence of need or justification for its removal, and siting and design of ventilation/mechanical services should be secured by condition. No objection to the courtyard extension. The existing extension is of no historic or architectural interest and prevents full appreciation and best use of the atrium. The replacement represents a good contemporary intervention, positively marrying old and new whilst allowing for better appreciation. A beneficial impact. No objection to external works and roof alteration, or entrance ramp proposals, subject to agreement over details of balustrade and handrail design, as well as provision for relocation on site of the decorative iron grilles currently protecting the entrance column pedestals. Hull Civic Society - Satisfied that care has been taken in these proposals to conserve the fabric of the building. Welcome the improved access for visitors who have impaired mobility, though important to ensure that all additions and alteration, including the new access ramp, are in keeping with the original building. Welcome the intention to enable visitors to enjoy the view from one of the cupolas, the use of the basement for exhibits and the proposed increase in the number of exhibits that will be on display, and trust that real artefacts will be prioritised over information panels. Conservation Area Advisory Cttee (CAAC) - No response received. Access Officer - Supportive of all aspects of the scheme from an accessibility point of view. Improving access and facilities for disabled people is part of the design brief, using accurate legislation and providing a rationale for the works to improve access. As an existing building it is difficult to bring every aspect of design up to current standards, but this does not detract from the vast improvements made to all other aspects of the circulation on all floors, improved WC provision, and the provision of an inclusive entrance ramp at the main entrance. Advice provided on internal changes in relation to legibility of glass edges and plates. The Ancient Monuments Society – No response received. Council For British Archaeology – No response received. The Georgian Group – No response received. The Society For The Protection Of Ancient Buildings – No response received. The Victorian Society – No response received. One letter from an interested third party supporting the scheme but raising the following queries: • Will there be a handrail to for the internal ramp at first floor and how will the handrail end be made safe for those with visual impairment? • If there is to be an upstand to prevent wheelchair users falling off that ramp, will it present a trip hazard? • What are the widths at the lower end of that ramp for guide dog users? APPLICANT’S CASE Design and Access Statement The Hull Maritime Museum houses the city’s extensive and highly significant maritime history collections. The museum is a much-valued part of the townscape. The museum has not, however, been subject to a wholesale architectural and interpretation `refresh’ since it was established in the 1970s. The building now requires repair and the reversal of modern interventions to provide a suitable visitor experience, including access for all. The project at the Hull Maritime Museum will aim to: • Develop additional museum space opened to the public; • Allow access to one of the building’s cupolas with superb rooftop views; • Invest in renewing the building’s infrastructure to reveal original architecture; and • Improve and extend educational and visitor facilities alongside updated displays that bring Hull’s whole maritime story up to date. The museum has full National Museum Accreditation status with Arts Council England, and its collection has been recognised as being of national significance and awarded Designation status. Its British and European whaling collections are believed to be the most significant in the world. In addition, the extensive collection of carved and engraved ivory and bone, known as scrimshaw, is widely regarded as the most significant outside of the United States. However, improved storage and display will allow these collections to be better appreciated by a larger audience. As part of the project new items will be put in displays and conservation will be undertaken. Circulation Development of the proposed scheme to accommodate a wider range of visitors, to extend parts of the museum and to enhance the experience available to all visitors, new routes have been created, and existing routes emphasised through the museum. A balance between built fabric and displays has been developed in close coordination with the wider client and consultancy teams, adapting to the constraints of re-using a building designed for a different purpose. This process has resulted in the creation of circular routes around key architectural features with regular and numerous facilities on each floor increasing the sizes and numbers of gallery spaces throughout by repurposing existing spaces and facilitating improved access to upper floors. Entrance and circulation routes Upon entering the Maritime Museum, via the existing primary entrance from Victoria Square, visitors will be greeted within the ground floor of the principal staircase. Whilst there is no prescribed route through the museum, visitors will be drawn through newly formed openings beneath, and either side