Chelmsford Museum wants to create a new "discovery zone" with a lottery grant for a £500,000 improvement - the first major one since they moved in 1930.

They also want to end a major structural threat from early 19th century the mansion's basement being almost permanently flooded during the last 18 months-cost: nearly £50,000

The aim is to make the free museum more disabled-friendly and add "much needed space".

They are also seeking new ventilation

The changes will include a room for school and public talks, special events and meetings along with a wheelchair lift, and making existing galleries more 21st century 'hands on'.

The project was set to be pushed forward by the borough executive on Wednesday evening.

They were being asked to approve initial fees of £11,000 to forward the "discovery zone" bid. Which they will ask to be part-funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The extension is aimed at being around 21 feet by 60 feet-cost £200,000.

The disabled lift, ventilation changes, and social history re-display could cost £106,000 with another £20,000 for furniture and fittings along with another £135,000 redisplay in existing galleries of natural sciences, geology, industrial history, interactive elements and including fees.

The council will have to find at least £124,750 as its partnership element of this.

Curator Nick Wickenden said:"An all year round discovery zone on the first floor is where visitors of all ages including, but not exclusively, school groups can follow their own interests in handling objects and discovering more information."

Published Wednesday, March 6, 2002