A model of the west face of the proposed Turner Contemporary in Margate as it will be seen from the Old Town across the bay. Courtesy Kent County Council

A gallery of white glass will rise on the coast at Margate in the next two years, reflecting the town’s special seaside light and looking out on to the spectacular seaview that inspired the artist JMW Turner in the 1800s.

The construction of the Turner Contemporary gallery is now assured after Thanet District Council granted it planning permission on February 20 2008.

Designed by 2007 RIBA Stirling Prize winner David Chipperfield Architects, the gallery will be one of the largest of its kind in the South East and has been directly influenced by the site that inspired Turner. The artist visited Margate throughout his life, and the new gallery is being built on the same location as the lodging house in which he stayed overlooking the bay.

Building is due to start in autumn 2008, and the opening has been scheduled for 2010.

“This is great news for Margate and for Kent,” said Turner Contemporary Director Victoria Pomery. “There are lots of positive things happening throughout the town at the moment and I hope this will be a real boost to everyone’s confidence, not just in Turner Contemporary but in the future of Margate.”

An impression of the gallery on the seafront. Courtesy Turner Contemporary

The creation of the gallery will play a central role in regeneration of the north Kent town, which has an increasingly vibrant Old Town and growing cultural quarter.

The two-storey building will feature six interconnecting spaces with exhibition galleries, an education room, café and shop. The white opaque glass cladding will both reflect the light and stand up to harsh coastal conditions.

“This is a tremendous step forward and we remain on schedule for the creation of this landmark building for Margate,” said Mike Hill, Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Community Services. “A vast amount of work has gone into this project and we will soon see it really taking shape using David Chipperfield’s superb designs.”

The project is led by Kent County Council with the support of Thanet District Council, Arts Council England and SEEDA. For more information about the project, see www.turnercontemporary.org.