THE first planning applications for the Black Country Living Museum's Forging Ahead project have been submitted to Dudley Council.

The planning applications, which include extensive project designs for the new visitor centre and historic development, were delivered to the council offices by project manager Hayley McCafferty-David and Greg Day, architectural technologist.

The planning applications have now been validated by the authority and allocated the reference numbers P17/1718 and P17/1720.

Members of the public can now comment on the application via the planning section of the council’s website to express support for, or raise concerns about the proposed plans.

Formal notices will also be issued to the museum’s neighbours and planning notices are being displayed near to the entrance on Tipton Road.

More than 30 of the museum’s neighbours took the opportunity to view the plans and ask the project team questions at a public event at the attraction on January 4.

Hayley McCafferty-David said “This is a key milestone for the project, the future of the museum and the local area.

“We’re glad that people took advantage of the opportunity to see the plans and to chat to the project team on January 4.

“Forging Ahead is very much a project with people and stories at its heart and so we want to make sure that it progresses in a way which best suits the majority.”

A full planning application for 12 of the buildings within the historic development has also been submitted.