I READ with interest that Durham County Council is considering building a new headquarters (Echo, July 16).

This is hardly surprising, considering that the existing County Hall is too large, considering the reduction in staffing levels. A new building need not have so many windows and may be more energy efficient.

I would ask for the new building to be built outside Durham City in an area with good transport links.

Coxhoe may be ideal.

I would call for a massive public consultation, before a new site is agreed.

With Green Lane, Spennymoor, and other similar hubs complimenting a new county hall, the new building should be much smaller than the existing County Hall and it should embrace new technologies. It should be a requirement that future county councillors should have computer skills and conference meeting should be considered.

Ben Ord, Spennymoor