Tate Modern invites locals to learn about expansion plans

It's two years since the gallery unveiled its proposed £165 million extension on the land to the south-west of the former Bankside Power Station. In March 2007 the scheme received planning permission.

Tate says it needs to expand to accommodate the millions of visitors who flock to Bankside each year – far more than ever anticipated when the gallery opened eight years ago – as well as providing extra, more versatile, space to display works from Tate's ever-growing collection.

The new gallery will make use of the vast oil tanks that lie to the south of the Turbine Hall. Last week the tanks – unaltered since the closure of Bankside Power Station – were visited by Beverley Hughes MP, minister of state for children, who toured the space with pupils from Southwark's Cathedral School as part of the launch of Tate Online's programmes for young people. An art installation is planned for the oil tanks this autumn.

Over the past two years Tate has continued to raise money for the extension and refined its proposals and is preparing to unveil the latest version of the plans.

The gallery is inviting its neighbours in the Bankside area to a special briefing led by Tate's deputy director Alex Beard and Ben Duckworth of architects Herzog & De Meuron to provide residents with an update on plans for the new development on Friday 18 July from 6.30pm to 8.30pm in the East Room on level 7 at Tate Modern.

The evening will include a presentation of the proposals and an opportunity to ask questions. Light refreshments will also be served.

Local residents who wish to attend should RSVP by contacting Alison Dexter on 020 7401 5225 or emailing [email protected] in advance.