Westminster Abbey have been granted planning permission to build a new historic addition to the world heritage site. The Abbey revealed yesterday the foundation stone for the new 80ft access tower, its first major addition since 1745.
The medieval triforium, soaring 70ft high has been hidden from the public for over 700 years. Visitors will be taken up by the new tower giving them access to an attic museum, dubbed the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries, which is due to open in summer 2018.
Courtesy of Westminster Abbey
The local council has also granted permission for the Abbey to provide a lift for visitors with easy access to the galleries. As well as the incredible views overlooking the Abbey and the Palace of Westminister, the new tower, designed by Ptolemy Dean, will be created to coordinate with the gothic style of the Abbey and built using traditional materials of stone, glass, lead and oak, as well as, taking advantage of today's modern materials.
The Very Reverend Dr John Hall, the Dean of Westminster, said: ‘This is a most exciting development which will allow visitors to the Abbey to see so much more of our wonderful treasures and to grasp the richness of the history of this holy place which represents faith at the heart of the nation.’
The tower and triforium will cost about £18.9m of which only £11m has been raised. The Abbey have just launched a fundraising campaign to give visitors a chance to be part of this amazing project and help #makehistory.
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