Council headquarters relocation approved
Durham County CouncilPlans to relocate a council's headquarters have been approved as part of a major redevelopment programme.
Durham County Council plans to demolish its County Hall building at Aykley Heads, in Durham City, and move into existing offices at the nearby Rivergreen Centre.
The authority bought the site for £11m in 2023, the long-term home of Atom Bank.
It had initially been due to move into a £50m purpose-built facility, but following a change in political leadership that site was sold to Durham University.
An entrance lobby and two-storey side extension will be constructed at Rivergreen to extend the building. The existing car park will also be reconfigured and provide 106 spaces.
The development forms part of the wider regeneration of the Aykley Heads area to create an innovation district in an attempt to attract high-tech jobs.
The County Hall site will be repurposed to make way for a development hoped to attract 3,700 jobs.
Plans to develop land at the Durham City site were first revealed in 2018 and progressed earlier this week after cabinet members agreed to appoint a joint venture partner, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.
Some staff have already begun relocating to alternative office accommodation, while County Hall is still used for the majority of council services.
Other tenants on the site include Durham Police.
'Complex' demolition
A planning statement said the council, which has no overall party in control, wished to "utilise the existing [Rivergreen] building as its new civic headquarters where council meetings and functions can be undertaken".
The upper floor will be used by council staff while the council chamber will be located in the south-eastern corner of the building.
Debates and meetings will be held at County Hall until 2026 when the site will be demolished.
Its clearance has been described as "complex" by council officials.
Labour councillors say it has already become a financial burden due to roof damage, broken infrastructure and issues with internal heating and water systems.
Party leader Carl Marshall said: "County Hall should be on the floor now. They should be well on with the scheme.
"There's enough buildings around the county that can accommodate the council. The council should be going out round the community."