Image: How the new open courtyard will look

The Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum in London, UK has announced it has secured planning permission from the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea for its £41m (US$64m, EUR52m) Exhibition Road project.

Amanda Levete Architects (ALA) were appointed in March 2011 to work on the scheme, which will lead to the creation of a new purpose-built underground gallery.

Enabling work is now due to start this autumn, with the project to include a new entrance that allows guests to access the gallery by a staircase offering views of the museum's façade.

Work will also include opening up a previously inaccessible back-of-house space to create a new open courtyard for installation, events and a café.

The V&A has now raised £25m (US$39m, EUR32m) towards the total cost of the Exhibition Road project, which is due for completion in late 2015 and will open to the public in 2016.

Sir Paul Ruddock, chair of the V&A board of trustees, said: "This project will transform the way we present temporary exhibitions and reinforce the Museum as a world leader of art and design.

"Not only will the development continue to improve the presence of Exhibition Road as an international cultural hub but it will provide us with the building and facilities to welcome more residents and visitors than ever before."

ALA principal Amanda Levete added: "We're re-imagining the dialogue between the V&A and Exhibition Road and in doing so, creating a new public space in the cultural and learning heart of London."

Click here for more information about the Exhibition Road project, which has now been awarded planning permission.

More details: www.vam.ac.uk

Image (c) Amanda Levete Architects - Victoria and Albert Museum, London