Plans approved to demolish Durham County Council HQ to make way for new 4,000-job development at Aykley Heads

More than 4,000 jobs could be created after county bosses approved plans to tear down their ageing County Hall HQ.
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Approval of the demolition paves the way for a major overhaul of the historic office block’s Aykley Heads home, with a business park expected to grow out of the site over the next 15 years.

But the scheme has failed to convince everyone, with concerns raised over traffic and road safety, as well as whether or the facilities will even be needed in a post-coronavirus world, with many employers using the pandemic to shift to home working.

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County councillor Liz Brown said she the lack of plans for dedicated bus stops, park and ride links or cycle paths at the site left the local authority’s green credentials looking ‘rather tarnished’.

Durham County Hall.Durham County Hall.
Durham County Hall.

She added: “I welcome any employment in the area after the ravages of COVID-19, but I’m worried by this however as I feel it has been rushed through following the government’s announcement of money for ‘shovel ready’ projects.

“Why does a county looking to be carbon neutral have a seven and a half storey car park in the outline plans?”

Cllr Brown was speaking at a meeting of Durham County Council’s County Planning Committee, which was held by videolink and broadcast via YouTube.

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Although councillors voted to demolish their current HQ, construction has already started on its replacement - a £50million riverside site on the former Sands car park, in Durham City.

How the new development could look.How the new development could look.
How the new development could look.

The application, which now requires approval from the government before it can be given the final go-ahead, is expected 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

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

How the site could look.How the site could look.
How the site could look.

Backing the application, Cllr Fraser Tinsley said: “I think everyone is in agreement that the principle of a business park is welcome.

“We’re going to [have] something which is County Durham’s opportunity to compete with the likes of Manchester, Cambridge and York.

“This is a positive legacy for the future.”

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