They include a reduction in the height of a turret on top of the proposed Tower Street building by at least half a metre, and reconsideration of the turret's detailing.

The move follows criticism of the design by conservationists and some councillors at a meeting of the council's southern area development control committee.

The committee postponed a decision on an application for planning permission so the proposals could be looked at again by the architects.

The district executive board was told a special Tower Street project board was now also proposing a further investigation of Techcrete as a building material in the new development.

The project board was proposing a separate application for residential development next to the museum, on the same site – helping to offset the cost of the project – should not be changed.

But it proposed a stronger supporting statement should be made about its 'contemporary approach to the streetscape'.

A new model is to be commissioned 'to resolve issues of presentation', accompanied by new visuals and supporting information.

Visits to inspect existing buildings featuring Techcrete will be undertaken, and members of the development control committee will be invited.

If these prove satisfactory, Techncrete will remain the material of choice.

At a previous committee meeting, the proposed museum was praised on the one hand as a superb iconic building, and criticised on the other as looking like a 1930s Essoldo cinema.

Council leader Cllr Myles Cullen said at the executive board meeting this 'exciting project' had run into some queries from the planning committee, and these were being looked at.

He added the scheme architect, Keith Williams, had just received the accolade of architect of the year for public buildings.

"Thank goodness we went through a lengthy process, and we chose one of the best – which is not just our interpretation, but now widely accepted," he declared.

The project board is due to meet again later this month to receive progress reports and agree the proposed revised design of the new museum.

Planning applications for both the museum and the adjacent housing will then have to go back to the southern area development control committee for final decisions.



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