Since the Holburne’s closure the Development Team have been working with archaeologists, engineers and contractors to prepare the site for building work.
Excavations have shown that a vault (filled in during the C20th) in which it was intended to locate the essential air-conditioning plant cannot be used for this purpose without significant modification to what appears to be part of the original 1796 building.
In light of this the Holburne proposes to create an extension to the existing basement into which it will reallocate some of the facilities. This makes the best use of the available space and minimizes the intervention to the fabric of the listed building.
As this was not part of the Museum’s original planning application, and although there will be no resultant change to the apparent size and appearance of the extension, the Holburne has submitted a new application for full planning approval and listed building consent.
Detailed discussions with B&NES Planners have preceded this step and the Holburne anticipates that the application will be determined at the end of November allowing work to begin on site before the end of the year.
For further information please contact: Katie Jenkins
T: 
01225 820818 E: k.jenkins@bath.ac.uk
NOTES
The Holburne Museum
One of the country’s great small museums, The Holburne has a wonderfully rich collection of paintings, silver, sculpture, furniture and porcelain, with important works by Gainsborough, Stubbs and Turner. Housed in the 18th century Sydney Hotel and set within the park of Sydney Gardens, it is Bath’s most beautiful museum (www.bath.ac.uk/holburne).
The Museum has closed to undertake a major redevelopment that will see its existing home restored, refurbished and extended through a striking extension designed by Eric Parry Architects. The development will make the Museum fully accessible to all for the first time, create a purpose designed education space and allow more of the collection to be displayed than ever before. The renewed Holburne is scheduled to reopen in late 2010. The Holburne Museum is a registered charity (no. 310288). The development is supported by a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (www.hlf.org.uk).
Published on: 07/10/2008