Plans have been submitted for the renovation of a county museum.

If approved by Rutland County Council, which is also the applicant, the Rutland County Museum would be 'transformed' with a new entrance, a café, a shop and flexible community spaces.

The application also lists enhancements to educational provision, including the introduction of an classroom for school visits, a 'Jurassic educational gallery' and digital interpretations of the Rutland Sea Dragon and Ketton Roman Mosaic.

The project would be funded by £6 million from the council, including £1.5 million of local regeneration funding (LRF) from the Government.

"This is a hugely exciting and important project – one that will preserve Rutland County Museum long into the future by turning it into a first-class visitor attraction and multi-use community space," said Councillor Christine Wise (Lib Dem – Uppingham), leader of Rutland County Council.

"The completion of this project will mean we can tell Rutland's story in exciting new ways, using immersive exhibitions and flexible spaces for culture and the arts.

"This investment is also about securing the museum's future. By creating a more sustainable, modern visitor attraction, we're protecting an important community asset while supporting local businesses, strengthening Rutland's visitor economy and creating a cultural venue that can be enjoyed by residents and visitors for many years to come."

Renovation of the museum's Grade II listed riding school building, which dates from the late 18th Century as a training centre for the Rutland Fencible Cavalry, is also planned. The building is due to have a doorway filled in and a new window inserted, alongside repairs.

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Certain elements of the ecourtyard and external walls would be demolished, which, although connected to the listed building, are not themselves listed.

An exhibition of the 180 million-year-old Rutland Sea Dragon fossil was suggested for the museum renovation, but the project was abandoned for financial reasons in favour of a digital interpretation.

Councillor Rosemary Powell (Ind – Whissendine), who holds the council portfolio for economy and place, said "emptying the council coffers" to display the actual fossil would have been "reckless".

People can comment on the application, which has the reference 2026/0878/LBA on Rutland County Council's website.