Deal for old council HQ could be struck next year

Old Shire Hall in Cambridgeshire was the base of Cambridgeshire County Council before they relocated in 2021

A new deal to redevelop a former council headquarters could get signed off by summer 2024.

Shire Hall in Cambridgeshire was used as a base for Cambridgeshire County Council before it moved to New Shire Hall, in Alconbury Weald, in 2021.

Developer Brookgate had previously started negotiations with the council, and plans were made to convert the site into a hotel on a 34-year lease.

However, after the developer pulled out last month, the local authority said it was looking for a new one.

'Hugely optimistic'

Cambridgeshire County Council said it would look for a new developer early next year.

It then hoped to complete a legal agreement with the new developer by summer 2024.

At the council's asset and procurement committee meeting, Liberal Democrat council leader, councillor Lucy Nethsingha, said getting the deal done was a priority for the joint administration.

However, concerns were raised, and Conservative councillor Simon Bywater said the proposed summer deadline was "hugely optimistic".

Michael Hudson, the executive director for finance and resources, said the timeline and deadlines proposed were considered feasible under a “certain set of scenarios”.

He said he would be able to give councillors a progress update in March 2024.