A £17m plan for a new ‘cultural quarter’ is a step closer to reality after two major refurbishment projects got the thumbs up.
Proposals to give the Vestry House Museum a makeover and to convert Chestnuts House into a creative workshop and café were approved by Waltham Forest Council’s planning committee on 16 July.
Funded by Leveling Up funds from the previous government in February, these projects are key components of the council’s grand plan for a ‘cultural quarter’.
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Eat Work Art, a creative company known for transforming neglected spaces into vibrant workplaces, is in the process of leasing Chestnuts House.
The green light was given to the proposed renovations last week which include sprucing up the interior, fixing windows, installing new doors and knocking down an external structure.
The renovation of the building, which has been dormant for around 15 years and comes with a price tag of £1.8m, was previously revealed in 2023. Due to its listed status, any major changes are off the table, meaning it will be converted into flats or hotel is not an option.
The plans also include the addition of a new cafe and restaurant within the museum, which mirrors the plans for Chestnuts House.
Storage will be moved off-site, freeing up interior space for public use. The museum will provide flexible spaces available for rent and host free cultural and community events, according to council members.
The Vestry House has a rich history, having been built as a workhouse in 1730 before serving as a police station, an armoury, a hardware store and a private residence. It opened its doors to the public in 1931 as a homestead museum.
It currently attracts around 22,000 visitors annually, but the council aims to increase this figure to 60,000. By comparison, the William Morris Gallery welcomes around 100,000 visitors each year following its 2012 refurbishment.
The council has announced that the museum’s gardens and galleries will remain closed until early 2026.
Councilor Rosalind Dore, the council’s culture minister, described the decisions as “such an exciting cultural moment” for the borough.
The remaining funds will be allocated to the new £30m Soho Theater on Hoe Street, public art, new planting and various improvements to signage and street lighting.
