Amy GrayFrom childhood doodles to the major works that gave him global recognition, a �1.9m project to build a centre to house the archives of Lowestoft-born composer Benjamin Britten are gathering pace.Amy Gray

From childhood doodles to the major works that gave him global recognition, a �1.9m project to build a centre to house the archives of Lowestoft-born composer Benjamin Britten are gathering pace.

The composer's works are currently exhibited in the library across the courtyard from his former home, The Red House, in Aldeburgh.

To mark the centenary of his birth in 2013, the Britten-Pears Foundation wants to move the archive collection into a purpose-built centre in the grounds of the house to provide more exhibition space.

A planning application has now been submitted to Suffolk Coastal District Council and a decision is due to be made later in the year.

Richard Jarman, general director of the Britten-Pears Foundation, said the centre will help safeguard the important collection, which includes photographs and correspondence, for future generations and make it available to more visitors.

'Britten never threw anything away,' said Mr Jarman.

'It is the most complete archive of a single composer in the world.

'Almost everything he wrote from being a child of six through to when he died - 98pc of his manuscripts.

'It will be a place where people can come and study the material in the collection with a seminar room, exhibition space and a reception area.'

A house used for short-term holiday lets would be demolished to make way for the proposed two-storey red brick building, designed to fit in with the local environment.

An extra 10 parking spaces, plus cycle spaces, would also be created if the plans, drawn up by architects Stanton Williams, are approved.

The foundation has already received �65,800 from the Heritage Lottery Fund towards the Britten 100 project and is seeking a total of �1.2m as plans progress.

Britten was born in Lowestoft on November 22, 1913. He had open-heart surgery in 1973 from which he never fully recovered and he died on December 4, 1976, aged 63.

In 1937 he met the tenor Peter Pears, with whom he had a personal and creative partnership that inspired much of his work. The two lived and worked at The Red House for almost 30 years.

The Red House, home of the Britten-Pears Foundation, is open for scheduled tours and visits. Call 01728 451700 or visit www.brittenpears.org for more information.