New homes among ideas for council headquarters

The county council will be moving out of County Hall (pictured) for a new facility in Hucknall

New housing, restaurants and bars are among the ideas for the future of Nottinghamshire County Council's headquarters.

The authority will move out of the building, in West Bridgford, for a more modern facility after facing spiralling running and maintenance costs.

In March, the council ran a public survey to help shape the future of the 1950s-built County Hall.

It said it is now compiling an initial business plan including options to give the headquarters a new lease of life, which is expected to be ready later this summer.

Once the initial plan is approved, a full business case is planned for later this autumn, with the shortlisting of developers earmarked for the New Year, the council said.

'Mixed-use development'

Most of the survey feedback received was "positive", the council said, adding that 85% respondents wanted to see the building remain in place.

It also said two thirds of people who responded to the survey agreed that having more bars and restaurants would be a good idea while 28% did not.

The local authority said the "most popular idea" was to create a "mixed-use development" including new homes - with 73% of respondents believing the development of the site would help economic growth.

Respondents also said they wanted to see improvements around the riverside and that they "valued the views of the site" from across the river, the council said.

Heritage organisations, sports clubs, universities and other councils were also contacted for their views.

The authority said it had also received feedback from developers saying there would be interest in the site if it was to put it on the market.

A aerial view of County Hall in West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire

Ben Bradley, the leader of the county council, said: “The vast majority who took the time to feed back to us agree that this site has the potential to bring more jobs and investments to this area.

“The savings we’ll be making by not running and maintaining this building will of course mean we’ll have more money to spend on services, not to mention any potential sale.”

Keith Girling, the council cabinet member for economic development and asset management, added: “Whatever the final decision is on this building, we will have to consider what makes best financial sense for the taxpayer and not take any unnecessary risks.”

He added that the council would update the public as the plans progress.

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