During the development of Tate St Ives an agreement was reached between Tate and Cornwall Council whereby Tate as leaseholder would run the Gallery, whilst Cornwall Council as freeholder would remain responsible for the fabric and the principal mechanical and electrical installations.

Since 2004 a partnership between Cornwall Council and Tate has been investigating the creation of additional gallery space, improved art installation, better visitor services and learning spaces, alongside the refurbishment and conservation of the existing building.

In 2005 Jamie Fobert Architects were appointed through an OJEU process to develop the scheme through the creation of an extension on the site of the Barnoon Car Park, above the Gallery. The new building was to be connected to the gallery by a linking lobby area. However, the proposal to build on the car park proved unpopular and in 2006 the project partners decided to review the scheme, working with the community and key stakeholders to reassess the options. During 2006/7 an extensive community consultation took place which provided a community brief for the project, and examined a number of options for the development. The project partners concluded that an extension to the gallery in St Ives was desirable, but that its execution needed to take into account community concerns about scale, the impact on the gallery’s neighbours, and concerns over the loss of the car park.

At the end of 2007 Penwith Housing Association (PHA) announced plans for the redevelopment of the Meadow Flats site to the west of Tate St Ives. The Town Council proposed that PHA worked with Tate St Ives to develop complementary schemes which would allow for the development of improved sheltered housing for the Meadow Flats residents, and give the gallery the opportunity to extend below the Car Park. As a result a scheme was developed to rebuild the Meadow Flats accommodation at the front of the site, creating a new site for Tate St Ives adjacent to the gallery behind the new flats.

In 2010 Cornwall Council purchased this land from PHA in order that the gallery extension could be built on this more suitable site allowing the possibility of a direct link between the existing gallery and the new extension.

At the same time it was agreed that Tate would manage the project and take on full responsibility for Tate St Ives, including its maintenance. A new lease is being negotiated for the existing building and in due course this will be extended to include the new building.

Due to the change in management of the development, the relocation of the site and the passage of time Tate has been advised that the appointment of Jamie Fobert Architects by Cornwall Council must be retendered.

Key stakeholders

The TSI2 project is being developed in partnership with Cornwall Council who are the freeholders of Tate St Ives, and a key supporter and investor in the project. They will exercise a level of monitoring of the design and construction process as agreed in the terms of the lease currently being negotiated.

There is a strong community in St Ives which takes an active interest in development within the town. A variety of bodies and organisations exist and will be consulted. The St Ives Town Council is the elected body for St Ives and has an advisory role in the planning process.

As a leading cultural institution in Cornwall, the creative, culture, education, and business sectors have an interest in the project.

The Tate St Ives Advisory Council consists of representatives of the key stakeholders of Tate St Ives, including Cornwall Council, St Ives Town Council, the Tate St Ives Members, Young Tate and the Community Liaison Group. The Advisory Council will support Tate St Ives in developing the consultation process for the TSI2 project.