The Migration Museum's planned permanent home in the City of London will be a third smaller than originally agreed, after the City of London Corporation approved changes to the scheme to allow additional student accommodation.
The amendments, filed by student housing provider Dominus, will replace museum floorspace on level two with 33 additional student rooms, bringing the total to 815. The museum will still occupy two floors at the site, with an opening expected in 2028.
Laurie Boult, Chief Executive of the Migration Museum, said: "This decision gives us the certainty to deliver our new vision for the Migration Museum — an inspiring landmark destination exploring how the movement of people to and from the UK has shaped who we are."
Background and original agreement
The museum, founded in 2011, has operated from a series of temporary sites. It was offered a permanent base as part of a scheme redeveloping 65 Crutched Friars, approved by the City of London Corporation in 2023.
The development involves demolishing a five-storey 1980s building and replacing it with a 21-storey block. Originally, the museum was to have two floors of exhibition space and one for events, while the remaining levels contained studio apartments and shared student accommodation totalling 769 rooms.
As part of the package, Dominus agreed to house the museum rent-free for 60 years alongside other financial contributions.
Reasons for the changes
The amendments were requested to enable the developer to contribute to the fit-out of the museum amid a challenging environment for the charity sector. Corporation officers recommended approval, writing that while museum floorspace on level two would be lost, it would "remain a significant and publicly accessible cultural use within the development, retaining exhibition space together with educational, community and ancillary facilities".
Jay Ahluwalia, Principal Director at Dominus, told the Planning Applications Sub-Committee on September 30 that the construction programme is going well. "Our rooms from the third floor upwards will be ready for students next September, and we're in advanced discussions regarding a nominations agreement with a leading and local university," he said.
Concerns raised by members
Some members expressed concerns about the loss of cultural space. Deputy Marianne Fredericks said she was concerned about the cut, particularly given this was a key reason for approving the scheme in 2023. "I love the fact that the City of London, and London and the country, is a melting pot. That's what makes us all special. We all have a story to tell and this would be a fantastic place to tell it. But I'm equally concerned that we're losing a third of the space, and a third of the space that they can't grow into, because the migration story is going to continually grow," she said.
Common Councillor Tim McNally said he was "annoyed at having to be voting this through just to get the Migration Museum and not really on the merits of the scheme itself". He added: "I'm very disturbed by this application. I will vote for it because the ward member indicates she's supporting it, but it really sticks in my throat."
A local resident previously told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the planning committee should reconsider whether the overall planning balance still justifies the scheme, noting the conservation area has only around 350 permanent residents yet the number of hotels and purpose-built student accommodation developments nearby has increased dramatically.
Museum's future and funding
Charles Gurassa, Chair of the Board of Trustees at the Migration Museum, said the site will draw more people into the Square Mile on weekends and "attract a younger and more diverse audience". The museum will be free for entry, with paid ticketing for certain exhibitions.
Mr Gurassa said that even with the reduction, the new site will offer about 40 per cent more space than the museum's previous temporary home. To deliver it, almost £13 million is needed, of which just under half has been raised so far. He said Dominus has been a major supporter, providing a "substantial contribution" towards a fully equipped 'white box' suitable for the museum to move into.
Common Councillor Shravan Joshi, a former Chair of Planning and Transportation, said there is a "reality" that members have to face regarding funding of cultural spaces. "It's either the reduced offering here...or actually a real threat to no delivery at all, and I think that's the reality we have to face today in the decision we make," he said.
The application was overwhelmingly approved, with all but two of the 15 members present voting in favour. Ms Boult said the approved plans will ensure the museum, free to enter with exhibitions, learning suites and event spaces, will welcome an estimated 140,000 visitors a year and bring new audiences into the Square Mile.
