PLANS to build a new heritage centre and shop at a railway museum have been given the go-ahead.

The East Anglian Railway Museum, in Wakes Colne, has seen plans to build the new centre and shop approved by Colchester Council.

The museum offers educational and leisure facilities and is a large tourist attraction.

The plans were given the green light in a decision by a planning officer on Tuesday.

The proposal details the replacement of two demountable buildings currently used as the Heritage Centre and shop with one permanent building.

A planning report said the existing demountable buildings are “coming to an end of their working life and are no longer fit for purpose”, deeming it “vital” they are replaced with a “permanent and purpose-built structure”.

The building will be designed to “ensure the museum’s collection is displayed to not only ensure its long-term preservation, but also to enable them to be easily accessible and for future generations to enjoy”.

The proposed building would be built on the same site as the existing Heritage Centre demountable building and would connect with the existing mock platform, canopy and ticket office.

The design of the proposed building includes solar panels on the roof “to help with heating the building and reducing CO2 emissions”.

The shop entrance would be accessed via the sloped access track from the museum’s platform level, down to the site to the east.

There would be a separate entrance to the Heritage Centre and toilets under a canopy on the north side of the new building.

Also detailed are plans for a hard landscaped picnic area between the new building and the Exhibition Hall and the disabled parking moved from the top of the embankment to an area north of the new building.

The planning statement concluded: “The new building to house the museums display of historic fragile and environmentally sensitive railway artefacts and archive collection is important for their protection and conservation for visitors and future generations education and enjoyment.”