SURVEYS have been completed of areas inside the Guildhall as part of the £9 million redevelopment of the site.

Planning applications have been submitted for listed building consent to create a new opening on the ground floor lobby, for double glazing to be installed in future office spaces, an air cooling system to be installed in the council chamber and an upgrade to the roof.

Full planning and listed building consent has already been granted for the scheme, with the new application including surveys of the site and more detailed proposals.

The project includes the installation of three air cooling units in the council chamber. Planning documents say people using the room have "endured poor conditions".

A heritage impact statement said: "The use of the room is currently severely restricted during times of overheating and installing cooling ventilation will improve its use and the comfort of its occupants. It is a difficult technical challenge to be able to install such equipment in such an ornate room without affecting the historic character.

"The benefit to the room of installing the cooling equipment outweighs the physical alterations required."

Discreet double glazing would be installed in offices on Grade II listed Victorian part of the complex and planning documents said that, while the proposals are not ideal in a Grade II listed building, they are necessary for the rooms to be suitable as offices.

The plans also include opening up a room between the lobby and the river to create a welcome area and give visitors a view of the Ouse.

An opening will be made in the wall opposite the council chamber staircase.

The survey says this would be the best solution to create a better reception area.