Work on Sunderland's new court complex has stalled as public spending tightens in the wake of the recession.
Justice chiefs have promised an impressive building which will become part of Wearside's skyline, containing much-needed new magistrates and civil courts as well as Sunderland's first crown court.
But David Keane, head of operations at Her Majesty
's Courts Service (HMCS), admits the multimillion-pound project on the cleared Farringdon Row site has been hit by the economic crisis.
"As a result of conditions, the Government did halt some public building programmes – and when I say halt I mean just put a pause on them.
"For the time being plans are being progressed to the next stage – and Sunderland falls into that category."
Mr Keane was speaking at a consultation session where magistrates, court staff, solicitors and others who work at Sunderland's existing justice facilities asked questions and gave feedback.
HCMS is putting together final plans for the development, before submitting a planning application to Sunderland Council. Input from the consultation will be used when drawing final designs.
The new complex will have a criminal court with eight magistrates court rooms and a smaller number of crown courts, and a separate wing with family and civil courts.
"It will bring together different courts of justice and make much better facilities for people who use them frequently, or infrequently," said Mr Keane.
The consultation session included a presentation by architects John McAslan and Partners.
The firm stressed the importance of the Farrindgon Row site, which sits high on a plateau above the Wear, and the need for an impressive building which would become a landmark on the riverside.
The new centre will provide facilities for employment tribunals and replace the cramped Sunderland Magistrates' Court, as well as the city's ageing County Court. It will also spell the end for Houghton
Magistrates' Court.
Farringdon Row had originally been earmarked for a high-profile hotel and apartment development with bars, restaurants and shops bringing about 500 new jobs.
The new court buildings had been allocated for the Vaux site, but with the long-running dispute with landowner Tesco still rumbling on, it was decided that the vacant Farringdon Row site next door was a better bet.
