CHELMSFORD Museums could be in the pipeline for a £2.24m overhaul if a council’s funding bid is given the go ahead.

Chelmsford City Council is hoping to spruce up the Oaklands Park museum in Moulsham Street, and the Essex Regiment Museum, if the Lottery Heritage Grant accepts its recent request for a £1.4m subsidy, to get the project off the ground.

If granted, the museum could see a café and function room built, alongside an extension to the car park. But this could mean Oaklands Park may lose some of its tennis courts.

Oaklands Park, which is just off Princes Road and Moulsham Street, covers five hectares of land and hosts two play areas and sports pitches, as well as tennis courts.

Roy Whitehead, leader of Chelmsford City Council, is hopeful plans will progress.

He said: “We’ve been working closely with the Heritage Lottery Fund and are hopeful we’ve presented our case in a way it is recognised.

“The application is going off and March. I think if the development goes ahead it will bring some regeneration to that area of town.”

If the application is successful, the authority will pitch in another £700,000 to help modernise the historic site.

A report, to be put forward to cabinet members next Tuesday (January 24), says the proposals will create a “museum that will engage and impress in a way that exceeds the perception of most regional museums.”

Upgrades will include a virtual tour, allowing web users to peruse the collection online, a fresh activities programme and improving the look of the Grade II Victorian townhouse.