CONTROVERSIAL plans to transform an award-winning museum have been given the go-ahead – but only just.

A multi-million-pound proposal to upgrade the St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery in New Street, Lymington, was approved by two votes at a meeting of district councillors.

The scheme, which includes a new “wavy wall” facade, is seen as vital to the building’s future.

But planning officers urged members of the planning committee to reject the scheme, saying it would harm the character and appearance of the Lymington Conservation Area.

Their advice angered Don Mackenzie, representing the applicants.

He told the committee: “We plan to create a cultural flagship for Lymington, the New Forest and the region as a whole.

“Our tired and discouraging frontage, described by VisitEngland as looking like a doctors’ surgery, will be replaced with an attractive frontage that will enable us to generate enough visitor income to make us viable in the future.

“We are therefore extremely disappointed that the planning officers have effectively put all this at risk.

“We think it’s a stunning scheme that will really enhance the street scene.”

Some members of the committee opposed the application, which had sparkled 18 letters of objection.

Cllr Steve Rippon-Swaine said the new facade would block views of the former Victorian school in which St Barbe was housed. He added: “Saving a museum maybe a very worthwhile thing to do but it’s not a planning consideration.”

But other councillors supported the £2m scheme, describing it as an exciting and inspirational project.

Cllr Alan Penson said: “New Street is not an attractive road and needs to be improved. The toilets next door to the museum are an absolute disgrace – a real blot on the landscape.”

Members said a conservation officer who no longer worked for the council had voiced support for the scheme.

Cllr Maureen Holding said: “It would be wrong to change our minds in the middle of something. We should go along with the advice we have already given.”

The application was eventually approved by eight votes to six.

It comes just days after Dire Straits star John Illsley launched a major fundraising appeal to help fund the proposed improvements.

The New Forest-based musician and painter is urging people to donate and help make the scheme a reality.

If all goes well workmen will arrive at the museum by the end of next year with the aim of completing the job by the summer of 2017.