The trustees who run the Memorial Hall are now hoping to attract funding from a variety of sources - including an appeal to local businesses and local residents - to help turn the £2.3m scheme into reality.

The hall already has funding pledges from East Riding Council and Beverley Town Council, as well as some money raised from fund raising efforts.

The scheme still needs a further £1m and the trustees are optimistic that it can be raised over the next few months, paving the way for the redevelopment scheme to start next May, and have pledged that no work will start until all the funding is in place.

“Not a brick will be moved until every penny is in the bank account,” said spokesman Richard Kemp.

Mr Kemp said that the trustees were disappointed that some local arts groups objected to the planning application for the new building, which was unanimously approved by East Riding Council’s planning committee.

Some protesters had claimed that there had been a lack of consultation over the proposals and that the planned building did not include many of the facilities needed by performers and users of the hall.

But Mr Kemp said details of the planned facilities had not been included because they were not necessary at that stage of the planning process, claiming the plans had been ‘misinterpreted’ by some objectors.

He said detailed plans are now being drawn up in readiness for going out to tender for the work to be carried out, and these will include the necessary facilities.

The trustees have already engaged a theatre designer, at a cost of £35,000, and say that extensive consultations, which have already been carried out with the public and users of the hall, will continue while the detailed plans are prepared.

“We have been carrying out consultations for 10 years and that is ongoing.

“The architect has an open door to any interested people who want to discuss the plans and will make sure that everyone’s ideas are looked at.

“We have to make sure the hall is suitable for a variety of uses are we are determined to do that.”

Mr Kemp said that the granting of planning permission had enabled the trustees to launch the public appeal, and they will be writing to local businesses and individuals asking for support.

Despite the economic downturn, he is optimistic that the money will be raised and has pledged that the new hall will be a ‘first class’ arts and community space for Beverley.

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“I am optimistic that we will do it.