The UK may be in a recession, but there are still plans for several new museums, including a £35m project in Southend-on-Sea in Essex.
Last month, Southend Borough Council appointed AEW Architects to design a purpose-built museum to replace Southend Central Museum and Beecroft Art Gallery.
The museum will house the artefacts found in an Anglo-Saxon burial chamber in Prittlewell in 2003, as well as the town's art collection. The building, which will be on the seafront, will also include a planetarium, temporary exhibition space, shop and restaurant.
"Because we have such important Anglo-Saxon finds and a great art collection, it is important that we have a real flagship museum for the people of Southend and the wider Essex area," said Southend Museums Service marketing and events officer Claire Fox.
The museum will open in 2013, creating several new jobs. Funding will be sought from a range of public and private sources, including the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).
Meanwhile, the Jerwood Foundation expects to hear next month whether its planning application for a £4m gallery in Hastings, in East Sussex, has been successful.
The gallery will house the Jerwood's collection of 20th- and 21st-century art, as well as providing space for temporary exhibitions.
The foundation has secured the funding to design, build and run the gallery, while Hastings Borough Council is raising money to develop supporting infrastructure, including a public open space. It is expected to open in 2011 and will employ about 15 staff. HAT Projects is the architect.
In the West Midlands, a £750m regeneration scheme including plans for a museum has been given the green light by a government inspector. Partners in the project, on the former MG Rover site at Longbridge, include Bromsgrove District Council, Birmingham City Council and developer St Modwen.
The Austin Centre will celebrate the history of the area's car industry, although the Heritage Motor Centre in nearby Gaydon has been given assurances that St Modwen does not want to create another large car museum, with the Austin Centre focusing on the area's social history.
Last month, Southend Borough Council appointed AEW Architects to design a purpose-built museum to replace Southend Central Museum and Beecroft Art Gallery.
The museum will house the artefacts found in an Anglo-Saxon burial chamber in Prittlewell in 2003, as well as the town's art collection. The building, which will be on the seafront, will also include a planetarium, temporary exhibition space, shop and restaurant.
"Because we have such important Anglo-Saxon finds and a great art collection, it is important that we have a real flagship museum for the people of Southend and the wider Essex area," said Southend Museums Service marketing and events officer Claire Fox.
The museum will open in 2013, creating several new jobs. Funding will be sought from a range of public and private sources, including the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).
Meanwhile, the Jerwood Foundation expects to hear next month whether its planning application for a £4m gallery in Hastings, in East Sussex, has been successful.
The gallery will house the Jerwood's collection of 20th- and 21st-century art, as well as providing space for temporary exhibitions.
The foundation has secured the funding to design, build and run the gallery, while Hastings Borough Council is raising money to develop supporting infrastructure, including a public open space. It is expected to open in 2011 and will employ about 15 staff. HAT Projects is the architect.
In the West Midlands, a £750m regeneration scheme including plans for a museum has been given the green light by a government inspector. Partners in the project, on the former MG Rover site at Longbridge, include Bromsgrove District Council, Birmingham City Council and developer St Modwen.
The Austin Centre will celebrate the history of the area's car industry, although the Heritage Motor Centre in nearby Gaydon has been given assurances that St Modwen does not want to create another large car museum, with the Austin Centre focusing on the area's social history.
HLF winners
The HLF has announced first-round passes for three projects, which have received funding to advance their plans.
Lincoln Castle (£228,000 towards a possible £6m application): reinterpretation of the castle.
Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester (£152,000 towards a possible £6m application): plans include larger display spaces and extended education areas.
National Railway Museum, York (£200,000 towards a possible £6.8m application): revamp of Great Hall displays.
The HLF has announced first-round passes for three projects, which have received funding to advance their plans.
Lincoln Castle (£228,000 towards a possible £6m application): reinterpretation of the castle.
Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester (£152,000 towards a possible £6m application): plans include larger display spaces and extended education areas.
National Railway Museum, York (£200,000 towards a possible £6.8m application): revamp of Great Hall displays.
