The British Museum's planned £135 million ($218 million) expansion received the approval of the Camden council in a nine-to-three vote last night. A previous proposal had been rejected earlier this year after some critics suggested that the building was excessively large.

The new plan modifies the earlier proposal, placing about a fifth of the development underground, which designers say will decrease its presence at street level and allow more light into the area. Managers also emphasized that the revised design will allow for greater energy efficiency.

The British Museum has said that the plan is absolutely essential to ensuring the long-term vitality of its work, as the new space will be used to provide room for conservationists and scientists to study and maintain the collection.

The museum won’t waste any time in getting to work on the expansion, now that it has been approved. Work will reportedly begin next month on the Richard Rogers-designed building, with £92 million ($149 million) already raised for construction.