MARGATE, KENT, UK.-The gallery for Turner Contemporary has taken a step forward as Thanet District Council has granted planning permission for the project to go ahead.

Following TDC’s planning decision last night (February 20), Kent County Council will now seek to appoint a contractor and work is expected to start on site in Autumn 2008 ahead of an opening date of 2010.

Designed by 2007 RIBA Stirling Prize winner David Chipperfield Architects, the gallery will be one of the largest of its kind in the South East. The design, which was influenced by the unique site and quality of light that inspired artist JMW Turner, will include six interconnecting spaces including exhibition galleries as well as an education space, café and shop. The ground floor gallery will have spectacular views out to sea, and adjacent to it there will be a multifunctional space in which talks, screenings and other events will take place. The two-storey building will be clad in white opaque glass, to reflect the light and will withstand the harsh coastal conditions.

The successful operation of the gallery is a key element in the regeneration of Margate ’s eastern seafront and in generating prosperity in an increasingly vibrant Old Town . It is also central to the growth of the town’s cultural quarter. In support of this, work by Kent Highway Services to transform Fort Hill to a single carriageway is due to begin in April. This will greatly improve connectivity between the Old Town and the seafront and will improve pedestrian access to the gallery site, the stone pier and the rest of the Rendezvous site. The area around the entrance to the Rendezvous site will be landscaped and high quality materials will be used for kerbing and footways.

KCC Cabinet Member for Community Services Mike Hill said: “This is a tremendous step forward and we remain on schedule for the creation of this landmark building for Margate . A vast amount of work has gone into this project and we will soon see it really taking shape using David Chipperfield’s superb designs.”

Turner Contemporary Director Victoria Pomery said: “This is great news for Margate and for Kent . There are lots of positive things happening throughout the town at the moment and I hope this will be a real boost to everyone’s confidence, not just in Turner Contemporary but in the future of Margate .”