Westminster City Council has approved plans for a significant refurbishment of one of the world’s most famous art galleries The Tate Britain.

Westminster City Council’s planning and City Development committee last night granted permission for the works which are “intended to extend the repertoire of social spaces inside the gallery”.

The improvements will be the first phase in a programme the Tate has called ‘Transforming Tate Britain’.

The plans by Caruso St John Architects include a refurbishment of the south eastern galleries, the creation of a new schools’ area, a new café on the lower ground level, bringing the upper level back into public use and opening up a new members’ area on the Millbank side of the first floor.

Cllr Alastair Moss, Westminster City Council’s chairman of the planning and city development committee, said: “Westminster is renowned for its many famous and prestigious cultural organisations and buildings and we are keen that we continue to encourage the arts here.

“In Westminster our aim is to foster world class galleries and we feel that these improvements will make sure that the Tate continues to be a global success.

“These plans will enhance this Grade II listed building, and improve an already successful and internationally renowned gallery making it even better for people who want to visit it.”

As part of the plans natural light will be reintroduced to the south east quadrant galleries, two new staircases will be created and the Millbank and Manton entrances will be better connected.

A new central staircase in the Tate’s rotunda, made from white concrete and adorned with transluscent glass balustrades will connect the principal and lower levels for the first time.

Its floor pattern is an interpretation of the original mosaic floor which was destroyed in 1928.

The gallery’s River Room, which was originally a watercolour gallery room and has since been divided into three office rooms will also be reinstated as a single room for the public to use.

The café will open out onto the garden and the schools’ reception will be located below the foyer and Millbank steps, and there will be a dedicated schools entrance, with the provision of space for learning set to be increased.

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