THE £66 million project to refurbish Glasgow’s world-famous Burrell Collection has taken a major step forward with the submission of the final planning application by the architects leading the project.

The National can reveal that one of John McAslan and Partners’ major innovations for the revamped building in Pollok Country Park is an entirely new entrance to the side of the building.

Opened in 1983, 12 years after the original design by Barry Gasson won an international competition, the Burrell Collection has never been able to show all of Sir William Burrell’s treasure trove of almost 9000 objects ranging from oriental carpets to stained glass windows and mediaeval weapons.

By the time the collection re-opens in 2020, it is hoped that as much as 80 per cent of its items will be on show, and they will not be threatened by a leaky roof which has been the main cause of the refurbishment, the planning application showing that the roof will be replaced.

The application justifies the new entrance as taking up only 0.1 per cent of the building.

The application states: “The Burrell Collection was designed to be entered from the south. It was intended for all visitors to be picked up from the south-west corner of the site and travel along a formal promenade-like approach enhanced by the landscape and the internal entrance wing.

“The majority of visitors begin this journey naturally from the carpark (to the south). Those visitors approaching the building from the pathways to the east on foot or bicycle are forced to turn 90 degrees at this orientation point and enter the museum from the south as intended. A key part of the entrance sequence from all access points is to give the visitor a full understanding of the landscape before entering the building. The landscape is designed to sweep around the building from the north to create a sense of enclosure.

“The additional entrance has been carefully considered in terms of its location, adjacency, materiality and approach. The entrance approach is aligned to the existing access to create a harmonious pair.

“As is the case today you will be continue to enter the building from the south. The entrance has been located in an area of facade that differs from the glazing featured elsewhere on the building; a variation that lends itself to an alternative treatment. This intervention comprises 0.1 per cent of the overall building fabric.

“Architecturally the new design draws from the existing language of the building matching the existing transom and mullion lines to read essentially as we have simply moved four panes of glass forward by 2m. A simple metal canopy frames and protects this new entrance lobby space.”

James Robinson, director of Burrell Renaissance, told The National: “With the planning application submitted, we have reached yet another significant milestone in our bid to fully refurbish and re-display Sir William’s incredible collection.

“The additional entrance will massively improve the visitor experience, with better access and orientation within the building – and it will also link better with the glorious backdrop of Pollok Country Park. From our research, we believe we are closer to realising the original designers’ early vision.”