MEMBERS of Ryedale District Council (RDC) have voted unanimously in favour of supporting redevelopment plans for the Milton Rooms in Malton.

At last Thursday’s meeting of the full council, it was agreed to grant a total of £321,160 to match funds to be raised by the Milton Rooms.

The Milton Rooms management team has recently taken a lease for the whole building, which includes the Georgian Subscription Rooms, which face onto Yorkersgate.

Plans have been drawn up to completely renovate and conserve the Grade II listed building, creating better access for disabled people and improve facilities in the building.

The total cost of the plans is about £1.6 million.

The plans have been separated into two parts. Part one includes creating a new level entrance through the existing bar, with a office and toilets to serve events in the Assembly Room.

The Assembly Room, will be renovated together with the associated small kitchen.

There will be lift access to Malton Museum, together with a new Research Room and a glass screen at the Museum entrance.

Plans also include facilities for the Woodhams Stone Collection to show items from its collection in a permanent exhibition.

Part two of the project will renovate the Milton Rooms, creating lift access to the lower ground floor with new toilets a new meeting/general purpose room and the renovation of the larger kitchen for catering.

The main Milton Rooms entrance will be conserved and renovated.

Councillor Luke Ives, chairman of RDC’s policy and resources committee, said: “Ryedale District Council is delighted to be able to support the Milton Rooms Management Team with their bold ambition to secure the future of this important building, which is loved by both local people and visitors of the town.

“We’ll continue to work closely with the team to help them deliver their plans to be a high quality venue for arts, heritage and cultural activity for the people of Ryedale.”

Merryn Wilderspin, chairman of the Milton Rooms trustees, said: “We are very grateful to council members for supporting our efforts to bring the Milton Rooms into the 21st century.

“We have worked really hard over recent years to bring exciting events for all tastes and ages to the Milton Rooms, but the poor condition of the building lets us down in many ways.

“The council’s funding will underpin our efforts to raise the remaining funds for this essential work.”