Museum about Sir Edward Elgar to open in Settle

A market town is to get a museum celebrating its links to a famous composer in a redundant former bank.

North Yorkshire Council approved plans to convert the Grade II listed Dr Buck's House in Settle, which was previously owned by a friend of Sir Edward Elgar.

The Nimrod composer visited Dr Charles Buck, a local doctor, there. The building was most recently a Natwest Bank branch until 2017.

North Craven Building Preservation Trust (NCBPT), which also runs the Museum of North Craven Life in The Folly, bought the building last year to protect its future.

The group said the museum would celebrate the Land of Hope and Glory composer and the inspiration that he drew from Settle and the Yorkshire Dales.

The proposals, reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, also include three affordable apartments above the museum that will be rented to people with a connection to Settle.

Elgar frequently visited Settle and a plaque on the building commemorates his association with the town. He died in 1934.

Settle Town Council, which has an advisory role on local planning applications, hailed the scheme and said it would help attract tourists.

The council said in its letter of support: “The planning application contributes to the wellbeing of Settle and the provision of much-needed affordable housing.

"The application reuses lots of the original features of the building. The museum space on the ground floor would be a great tourist attraction for Settle and encourage additional visitors to the area.”

A North Yorkshire Council officer approved the plans on July 9.

They said: “Overall, the approach to the proposal is a sensitive and considered one. It will serve to secure a sustainable future for the heritage asset and impact positively on the local economy and environment.”

Thomas Barrett