My philosophy has always been to assist with education and innovation, and to illuminate the past for the benefit of the future
– Peter Mullin

Proposals for a world-class automotive museum in the heart of the English countryside have moved a step further towards realisation with the awarding of outline planning permission.

The Mullin Automotive Park will be situated over 63 hectares at the disused Enstone airfield near Chipping Norton in The Cotswolds, UK.

It would provide public access to view the classic car collection of US businessman Peter Mullin, founder of M Financial Group, who established the sister location – Mullin Automotive Museum – in California, US, in 2010.

Designs have been created by Foster + Partners. The firm said the design "draws inspiration from the idea of a rural estate", with "a journey through a carefully considered landscape towards the main building that forms an integral part of the overall experience for visitors".

There will be a small cluster of buildings, including a café, at the entrance to the site, from where visitors will walk to the museum. This is designed as a crescent-shaped collection of buildings, nestled in green parkland. Specially designed roads allow for "exercising" cars from the collection, giving visitors an immersive experience.

The proposals also include a series of residential pavilions and landscaped lodges within the grounds, while the museum itself will be maximised for thermal performance, with a range of measures designed to minimise energy consumption.

Peter Mullin said the driving force behind the museum plan was an educational one: "I don't regard myself as a collector of wonderful classic cars, but more as a custodian of a collection which I want to make available in a public forum well beyond my lifetime.

"My philosophy has always been to assist with education and innovation and to illuminate the past for the benefit of the future. The impact of the automobile on our modern way of life deserves to be recorded in the most imaginative, educational and absorbing way possible."

The proposals have not been without opposition, with around 180 letters against them being received by the council, while 220 were received supporting them. The plans were passed by the local council by 12 votes to seven.

First look at Foster + Partners' classic car museum

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