MUSEUM volunteers may have to rethink their plans to extend the Pillory Street building.

Councillors look set to turn down their present proposals because a neighbour will have to look out onto a brick wall.

Proposals for a single storey extension to the museum are due to be discussed at the borough planning committee meeting today, Thursday.

Outline planning permission was granted in 1996 with a condition that the floor plan was not accepted.

Councillors wanted more details about the design and elevations before they could give it proper consideration.

Now the detailed scheme has been recommended for refusal by planning officers because it is felt that it will diversely affect a resident in the Cocoa Gardens.

She had objected to the scheme because the view from her house would be obstructed. She would be looking straight onto a wall.

She also claimed the light at her home would be badly affected even during the day and in the summer.

Planning chief Derek Cook said: "This dwelling only has one outlook and this will face the museum extension.

"The extension detailed in the application will occupy the full width of the plot frontage of this dwelling, approximately 7.5 metres away, and will have a dominant roof structure. It will consequently be unnecessarily overbearing."

He added that design solutions were available which would secure the extension without affecting the building next door.

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