Progress update as work continues on new council HQ

The project faced early delays due to bad weather but time has been made up, officials said

Nottinghamshire County Council’s new £18m headquarters should be completed early next year despite initial poor weather, officials have said.

Located near Hucknall and Linby, construction of the office building started in January, though wet weather earlier this year slowed the project’s progress.

By moving out of County Hall, built in the 1950s on the banks of the River Trent in West Bridgford, the authority hopes to save around £1.5m in annual running costs.

A final decision has not yet been made on the future of the older building, although it is expected to be sold and redeveloped.

This space will eventually become the main council chamber

The current headquarters also has a £30m expected maintenance cost over the next 12 years, and a further £28m would be needed to bring it up to modern environmental standards, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The Conservative-run authority voted to build a new base, called Oak House, next to the A611 Annesley Road, in July 2023.

Keith Girling, cabinet member for economic development and asset management at the council, said completing the roof marked a significant moment.

“It’s another phase that we’re in, in terms of completion of the building.

“At the moment everything’s on time, despite the bad weather at the beginning of the year- they’ve caught up, which is brilliant."

We’re also on budget which is another good thing that we’re monitoring very closely,” he added.

The building will boast a number of energy-saving features including insulation and solar panels

Finishing the roof means cladding and brickwork can start, followed by plumbing and electrical works.

Any potential future adverse weather should not slow progress again, managers promised.

The council’s new home includes several environmentally efficient features, including a roof full of solar panels.

As well as the council’s civic, democratic and leadership functions, it will be the new home to two frontline services, the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) for vulnerable children and adults, and its customer service centre, which handles all public enquiries.

A public consultation found keeping County Hall’s green roof and improving its riverside location were among priorities for the old site.

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