Durham County Council proposes £50m HQ switch

County Hall was described as "no longer fit for purpose"

A council in the North East is considering a switch to new £50m headquarters.

Durham County Council's base at Aykley Heads is described as an "over-sized inefficient building" in a report being discussed by cabinet next week.

It suggests a move would create up to 6,000 jobs and put £1m into Durham city's economy.

However, one independent councillor called it "craziness of the highest order in these time of austerity".

The council report said the current site, which opened in 1963, was no longer fit for purpose and would be attractive to businesses.

'Considerable investment'

Councillor Neil Foster, cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: "Such a move would require considerable initial investment, but the economic potential of the Aykley Heads site shouldn't be underestimated and to unlock this potential we must relocate."

More than 2,000 jobs have been axed by the authority in recent years as it sought to make budget cuts.

From 2011 to 2019, it said it would have to make a reduction in spending of £250m.

Independent councillor John Shuttleworth said: "It's craziness of the highest order in these time of austerity and consultants will tell you anything you want to hear as you're paying them.

"Firstly, this building [Aykley Heads] is bought and paid for and has had hundreds of thousands spent on it over the last 10 years, removing asbestos.

"Secondly, to move closer to Durham City will cause parking issues for the public."

The council's Cabinet will decide whether to move the proposal forward next Wednesday.