AMBITIOUS plans to transform a Hampshire museum have received another boost – just three months after the scheme was awarded a £1.8 million lottery grant.

New Forest District Council has agreed to donate £65,000 towards the cost of turning the St Barbe complex in New Street, Lymington, into a flagship heritage venue.

Under the scheme, the council-owned museum will upgrade its art gallery, provide visitors with an improved café and install an enhanced entrance.

A new public archive will also be created to give the public both physical and on-line access to local history collections for the first time.

As reported in the Daily Echo, the project will cost more than £2 million – with £545,000 coming from local authorities, charitable trusts and museum supporters.

The decision to give the scheme a £65,000 grant was taken at a meeting of the district council’s ruling cabinet.

A report to members said: “By extending the facility the St Barbe Trust will have more space to display a wider selection of their 18,000 items.

“The trust believes it will increase visitor numbers from 29,000 to more than 40,000 and improve their financial resilience.”

Cllr Alison Hoare, one of the non-Cabinet members who attended the meeting, said: “It’s going to be the most fabulous place.”

Cllr Alan Penson also praised the scheme and urged the authority to help fund plans to refurbish the Lymington Centre, almost opposite St Barbe.

“More than 5,000 people pass through its doors each week and I hope we can support them at the appropriate time,” he said.

The only note of dissent was sounded by Cllr Fran Carpenter. She criticised the design of the new-look museum, which will boast a new “wavy wall” facade to reflect its coastal setting.

She said: “I’ve never liked the design. Having seen this council make so many cuts and savings I think the £65,000 could be better spent.”

The decision to release the cash comes just three months after St Barbe was awarded a £1.78 million grant by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

Speaking earlier this year Stuart McLeod, head of HLF South East, said: “St Barbe Museum tells the fascinating story of the heritage of Lymington and the New Forest coast.

“An HLF grant helped establish the museum back in the 1990s and we’re delighted to be supporting this new chapter in the museum’s development.

“National Lottery support will ensure more local people and tourists alike will discover everything St Barbe has to offer.”