Erewash Museum Conservation Plan Consultation

What's a Conservation Plan?

This year Erewash Museum has commissioned a conservation plan for its museum Building and Gardens. A conservation plan looks at a historic building from every angle, not just at the conservation of the fabric of the building but also at its significance from a historic, economic, tourism and cultural point of view. The plan then acts as a guiding hand for all works to the building in the future, aiming to conserve and enhance its significance. For more information about conservation plans in general follow this link to the Historic Scotland Guidelines on Conservation Planning. You can download Adobe Reader from the main Leisure and Culture Page

Where can I look at it?

We are at the stage now of asking for your views a second time about the conservation plan. You can download the plan below or look at a hard copy of the plan at Long Eaton and Ilkeston Town Halls, West Park Leisure Centre, Sandiacre Friesland Leisure Centre, Rutland Sports Park and the Albion Leisure Centre and, of course, at the Museum itself. The plan is in Microsoft Word format at present, please contact us at the museum if you are unable to read it.  They are all quite large files and so may take a while to download on a dial-up connection.

Conservation Plan Title Page (1.92MB)

Conservation Plan Main Body Text (730KB)

Conservation Plan Gazetteer Part 1 (Room descriptions and assessments - 371KB)

Conservation Plan Gazetteer Part 2 (Room descriptions and assessments - 2.76MB)

How do I tell you my views?

We look forward to hearing your views about the plan by the deadline of 16th November. You can leave feedback on the Contact Us form on this website, by e-mail to museum@erewash.gov.uk or by post to Conservation Plan Consultation, Erewash Museum, High Street, Ilkeston, DE7 5JA.

What are the main findings of the Plan?

The plan looks at all sorts of aspects of the museum before coming to the conclusions set out in the recommendations below:

1. Adoption of this Conservation Plan

Following full public consultation, this document should be approved by Erewash Borough Council and adopted for planning control purposes.

2. Structural survey

It has been noted that a full structural survey has not been carried out on the fabric of Erewash Museum within the last five years. Erewash Museum should commission a full survey, to be carried out by a suitably qualified individual or organisation. This survey should include an assessment of the implications of current floor loadings on the historic building.

3. Management Plan

Following the adoption of this document, it is proposed that Erewash Museum commission a Management Plan to take forward the various recommendations contained within this document.

Work which could be undertaken includes:

· The preparation of a detailed scheme for the restoration of the historic interiors;

· The provision of improved visitor facilities, including the public toilets and a café or a rest and refreshment area;

· The preparation of a scheme to remove collections storage from the museum and to open the second floor rooms to public access;

· An exploration of the feasibility of providing a dedicated education room;

· The preparation of a scheme to restore and enhance the gardens.

4. Archaeological evaluation

A full analysis of the historical development of the site cannot be provided until more detailed archaeological evaluation is carried out. This can only be undertaken by an experienced and qualified archaeological team. An informal level of investigation is undertaken each year as part of the museum’s Archaeology Week, but the results require analysis.

5. Assessment of the site’s ecological significance

To date, no detailed assessment of the flora and fauna of Erewash Museum buildings and gardens has been carried out. To increase understanding of the site, and before any major works are planned, this should be carried out by a professionally qualified individual or organisation.

6. Improve visitor access and facilities

There is full access to the ground floor of Erewash Museum and to the gardens. An interactive computer display in the reception area provides an illustration of the rooms and collections at first floor level. Access improvements should be considered, particularly if areas such as the Hayloft continue to be used for public meetings. The feasibility of rotating some of the museum displays from the first floor to the ground floor should also be explored.

There are currently no refreshment services available at Erewash Museum, apart from an informal occasional arrangement provided by the Friends of Erewash Museum. Improved facilities, perhaps a vending machine and seating area short-term, and a café long-term, would be welcomed by the many people who visit.

7. Improve public awareness

Currently there is one directional fingerpost to Erewash Museum from Ilkeston marketplace. There is a system of brown signs from Chalons Way to the museum. Signage could be greatly improved on roads within the borough and within Ilkeston itself.

Ways to improve the degree of public awareness should be considered. Erewash Museum and Erewash Borough Council should actively explore the possibility of extending links with other cultural institutions in the borough.

8. Key stakeholder working party

The Friends of the Erewash Museum play a vital role in supporting the museum. A staff member from Erewash Museum attends the monthly meeting of the Friends. Increased partnership between the Friends and Erewash Museum could add extra value to this significant resource.

9. Quinquennial review

Once any necessary repairs have been carried out, a quinquennial review should be undertaken by a qualified architect or surveyor. The buildings should be fully inspected every five years to ascertain their condition and for any necessary maintenance and repairs to be undertaken within a programmed framework.

10. Review of the Conservation Plan

It is recommended that this Conservation Plan is reviewed after 5 years. In particular Chapter 6 ‘Vulnerabilities and Issues’ and Chapter 8 ‘Recommendations’ should be reviewed to assess whether they have been carried out and whether any new vulnerabilities and issues have emerged which require further recommendations for action.