Decision date set on plans to demolish Durham's County Hall at Aykley Heads to make way for major 4,000-job development

The proposals are a key plank of the redevelopment of the local authority HQ’s Aykley Heads home, which bosses claim could create about more than 4,000 jobs.

If approved, the scheme would also see permission granted for offices, shops and restaurants at the site.

But opponents have questioned whether there is a need for such facilities in the city, calling it ‘speculative and risky’ in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, as well as raising concerns about road safety.

The application, which is due to go before Durham County Council’s County Planning Committee on Tuesday, December 1, is seeking to knock down County Hall and redevelop the wider Aykley Heads site to provide:

:: An office block on the site of the former Durham Trinity School, with the location of more office space to be determined later

:: Up to 1,131 parking spaces, including a multi-storey car park

:: A business park which could include, shops, restaurants, gyms and other attractions, as well as work places

The proposals have been submitted by the county council itself, with the local authority’s own planning department recommending approval.

A report for councillors concluded the jobs expected to be created over what is predicted to be a 20-year construction period for the whole site, as well as the potential for 4,318 jobs to be based at the new business park, outweighed any potential harms.

But a combined payout of £300,000 has also been suggested to create new hockey and tennis facilities expected to be lost as a result of the development.

Strong opposition is expected when the application is put to the panel however.

Liberal Democrat opposition councillor Liz Brown, who requested the application go before the committee, said: “Obviously I am not opposed to the employment that this site hopes to create.

“However, I am worried about aspects of the outline application for the south of the site, including building on the green belt and a seven and a half storey car park which will be in sight of Durham Cathedral.”

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