British Museum Receives Planning Permission For Archaeological Research Collection

Last night (14.11.18) Wokingham Borough Council approved a resolution to grant planning permission for the British Museum to build a new collection storage and research facility within Wokingham Borough. The planned facility will house a portion of the British Museum's important research collection, focusing on archaeological material such as sculptures, mosaics and historic casts. The new development will not be a second British Museum but will be an active and integral part of the organisation, with a focus on global research. The Museum will work closely with the University of Reading, local museums (including the University's museums) and partners in developing new ways of looking at and learning from the collection. Study rooms will give University students, academics, school groups and members of the public enhanced access to the collection. A loans hub will allow the Museum to lend objects from the research collection directly to local, national and international venues.

The planned single-storey 15,628sqm building will be designed by John McAslan + Partners and will consist of three connected blocks providing custom-designed space to store, study, share and conserve the collection. A courtyard will bring natural light and views out to the adjacent ancient woodland to occupied areas. Sensitive to its surroundings, the building will blend into the landscape using a mix of natural facing materials and muted colours. Perimeter hedge boundaries will be retained, and new landscaping and planting will create additional habitats, including wildflower meadows.

Community engagement is central to the purpose of the British Museum, and the BM_ARC will form part of the Museum's work to make its collection accessible to as many people as possible. This work is based on meaningful collaboration with partner organisations, sharing collections and expertise, and supporting partner museum colleagues in developing new and innovative programming.

Construction will begin in 2019, subject to conclusion of the planning process.

Hartwig Fischer, Director of the British Museum said 'I am delighted that planning permission has been granted. This hugely exciting project, in partnership with the University of Reading, will deliver significant public and research benefits. The Museum's study collection is of incomparable research value and the facility will ensure more access to the collection for study and loans, fulfilling two of the central purposes of the British Museum.'

Professor Robert Van de Noort, Acting Vice-Chancellor at the University of Reading, said: "This is an important next step in what will be a first of its kind partnership between a national museum and a UK university. Reading has a global reputation for excellence in Arts and Humanities subjects, having recently been named in the top 150 in the world. We are already developing plans with the Museum to explore a wide range of potential research synergies, building on our existing collaborative research. We are also planning ways to work together through our University Museums to benefit local schools and members of the public."