The Migration Museum, set to open in the City of London in 2028, may have less exhibition space than originally planned under a proposal to increase the number of student rooms in the same building.
Proposed changes to the scheme
The museum, which explores the movement of people to and from the UK, was offered a permanent home at 65 Crutched Friars by developer Dominus. The original scheme, approved by the City of London Corporation in 2023, involved demolishing a five-storey 1980s block and replacing it with a 21-storey building. The museum was to occupy two floors of exhibition space and a third for events, while the remaining levels would contain 769 student rooms.
Under a proposed amendment, Dominus has requested permission to replace the museum floorspace at level two with 33 additional student rooms, along with internal changes to the museum layout at ground and first floors.
Reasons for the amendment
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), the amendments are being sought to enable Dominus to contribute to the fit-out of the museum amid a challenging fundraising environment for the charity sector. A spokesperson for Dominus said the proposals were developed in close collaboration with the Migration Museum “to secure the long-term deliverability, operational effectiveness and financial sustainability of its permanent home”.
Laurie Boult, Chief Executive at the Migration Museum, stated: “Working closely with Dominus, our partners and our Board of Trustees, we have defined a 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. Dominus's continued support, and these proposals, are vital to achieving it.”
Resident concerns
One local resident, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed disappointment: “The original planning permission was justified in part by the significant public benefit of the Migration Museum. The developer is now seeking to reduce that cultural space while increasing the number of student rooms.” They added that the cumulative impact of accommodating over 800 students should be properly assessed.
The resident also noted that the area is a conservation zone with only around 350 permanent residents, yet the number of hotels and purpose-built student accommodation developments has increased dramatically.
Developer and museum response
Dominus said the proposals would help address the shortage of purpose-built student accommodation and make the museum’s delivery “more certain”. The developer has agreed to house the museum rent-free for 60 years alongside other financial contributions.
Boult added: “The proposal is for a museum across two floors, 50 per cent larger than our previous home in Lewisham, with exhibitions, learning suites and event spaces for an estimated 140,000 visitors a year. Since our original application three years ago, a challenging macroeconomic environment has significantly changed the fundraising landscape for the cultural and charity sector.”
