The City of London Corporation has won the national ‘Planning Permission of the Year’ at the prestigious Planning Awards 2024 for its decision to approve a mixed-use scheme at 65 Crutched Friars by Dominus, which will include a new permanent home for the Migration Museum in the City of London.

The new building, a stone’s throw from Fenchurch Street, Aldgate and the Tower of London, will provide a state-of-the-art permanent home for the Migration Museum on the bottom three floors of a new student accommodation development.

The new museum will encompass interactive temporary and permanent exhibition galleries, flexible event and education space, an artist studio, outdoor areas for programming and activation, and a cafe/restaurant and shop that will be a core part of the museum’s offer, showcasing the significant impact of migration on food and business. 

Dominus are currently on-site delivering this planning permission – completion is anticipated for 2027.

Planning Award judges praised the scheme for its focus and potential to attract a broader range of diverse communities into the City. 

Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Planning and Transportation Committee, Shravan Joshi, said:

“The City is a true melting pot of cultures, bringing together people from around the World and is a living demonstration of how communities have thrived over centuries in this amazing place. It wouldn’t be what it is today, without being welcoming, open-minded and open-hearted.

That is why I am delighted that the planning permission which involves the Migration Museum finding a new permanent home in the heart of the City as well as much needed student accommodation to support London’s Higher Education offer has been recognised by the Planning Awards and I pay tribute to the brilliant planning team who have made this possible.”

Migration Museum CEO, Sophie Henderson, said:

“We cannot think of a more exciting or resonant location for Britain’s missing museum than the City of London, site of some of the oldest and most intriguing migration stories from the Romans to medieval times and the present day. The Migration Museum will be a high profile, stylish and welcoming new cultural institution that puts our long, rich and complex story of the movement of people both to and from Britain over the ages right at centre stage, where it belongs. It has been a privilege and pleasure to work with the City planning team and developers Dominus to bring this important project to fruition.”

Principal Director of Dominus, Jay Ahluwalia, said:

“We’re thrilled that the City of London has received this award, recognising their collaborative approach, working creatively alongside developers to enable impactful developments such as these to come forward. We’re now on site building out this great development and look forward to continued partnership with the Migration Museum at 65 Crutched Friars to deliver their permanent new home and broaden the cultural offer in The City.”

Click here to find out more about our permanent home and how you can join us to make it happen