Chesterfield and District Civic Society, whilst welcoming many aspects of the Stephenson Memorial Hall revamp planning application, have some serious reservations about others.

The building, which incorporates the museum and Pomegranate Theatre is currently subject to a planning application, following the award of a substantial grant to update facilities.

In its submission, the society raises concerns about disabled access to the building. It has also strongly objected to plans for the museum displays, condemning ‘unreservedly the recommendations contained in the report entitled “Re-imagining Stephenson Memorial Hall”.’

Consultants hired by the borough council suggest a thematic approach to the displays. The chronological story of Chesterfield does not appear to be told. For example, there seems to be little or nothing about the town’s history before the 1870s.

We have listed a number of inaccuracies in the consultant’s report and suggested what the museum displays should  cover in our response document.

Download the civic society’s full response to the application below. This commences with a brief history of the building.

The application can be viewed on the borough council’s planning portal – https://publicaccess.chesterfield.gov.uk/online-applications/search.do?action=advanced . Search using the application reference CHE/21/00802/LBC.