Tate St Ives, the Cornish branch of the Tate art gallery, is to go ahead with expansion plans after reaching a deal with Cornwall Council and the Penwith Housing Association (PHA).

The council announced its purchase of the land alongside the existing gallery yesterday (19 July)

New gallery spaces and art handling facilities will allow Tate St Ives to offer a more ambitious mixed programme of St Ives and national collection displays, alongside national and international exhibitions.

Mark Osterfield, executive director, Tate St Ives, added: "Tate St Ives has spent the last few years working with Cornwall Council, St Ives Town Council and the wider community, to find a way of ensuring that the gallery builds on its success for the future benefit of Cornwall and its communities.

"The acquisition of this site will enable us to create new facilities which meet the needs and concerns of the people of St Ives, whilst delivering a bold new vision for the people of Cornwall. I am very grateful to St Ives Town Council and Cornwall Council for their leadership in laying the foundations for a successful project."