PLANS have been drawn up for a new modular classroom to be added to a local museum.
The application has been submitted to Lichfield District Council by the Staffordshire Regiment Museum.
A statement supporting the proposals said the project was part of longer-term plans for the Whittington attraction which could eventually see it rebranded.
It said:
“After nearly five years of work, a lease from the Ministry of Defence for the Staffordshire Regiment Museum in its current building has been agreed. This was signed by the Secretary of State for Defence in October 2024 and provides for a 40-year lease with no rent to pay and maintenance and utilities to be covered.
“The lease is of critical importance to future plans, especially to fundraising. It is yet to be enacted as it awaits the conversion of the current Staffordshire Regiment Museum Trust to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), which is a condition of the lease.
“The trustees have engaged specialist charity solicitors to prepare and submit an application to the Charity Commission, and it is hoped this will be in place by the end of 2025. Once the CIO is in place, it is intended to re-brand the current museum as the Staffordshire and Mercia Military Museum (SAMMM).
“The intention remains to build a new museum on the current site to incorporate the museums of the Staffordshire Regiment and the Mercian Regiment. The trustees continue to progress plans for the new museum design and necessary funding to bring this project to fruition.
“The modular building and the retention of the two existing Portacabins is an important stopgap to continue increasing important income and visitors to the museum, particularly as the education programme has grown in popularity and is receiving more requests from schools to visit the site.”
The statement added that more than 3,000 schoolchildren visited the museum in 2024, with the new building expected to increase capacity by 50%.
“The education programme is one of the museum’s largest income strands and attracts thousands of children per year.
“The ability to develop and increase capacity ensures a more sustainable future for the organisation. It also ensures the historical legacy of the Staffordshire Regiment and the values of the modern British Army are passed onto younger generations.”
Full details can be found on Lichfield District Council’s planning website.
