UP to 400 public sector jobs are to be relocated later this year after councillors gave the go-ahead for a new headquarters for its workforce.

Members of Durham County Council's planning committee voted yesterday to grant planning permission for a single site headquarters for Service Direct on Meadowfield Industrial Estate, in Durham City.

Service Direct, which comprises the authority's blue collar workforce, operates from two sites in the county: a headquarters depot at Framwellgate Moor on the outskirts of Durham City, and a second smaller site, including offices and depot, at Tindale Crescent, in Bishop Auckland.

Yesterday's decision will allow it to move its operations on to a six-hectare site that used to be the former Mackay's Carpet Factory, which closed last year.

The two existing sites are likely to be sold for redevelopment.

Officials told the meeting that the site would have room for up to 400 staff, including 180 office workers and would operate from 7.30am to 7pm.

It would also provide storage and workshop areas, vehicle washing facility, store for road salt and fuelling station, with room for future expansion and a car park with 245 spaces.

However, concerns have been raised over the effect of increased traffic flows in and out of the estate due to the extra 1,400 vehicle movements a day expected to use the depot, including more than 400 commercial vehicle movements.

The entrance to the new depot had been moved following concerns from Wavin Plastics Ltd - which stands opposite the site - but the business still had concerns over the effect on traffic in and out of its premises.

Brandon and Byshottles Parish Council also raised concerns that increased traffic would cause problems at the already busy junction with the A690.

County councillor Mac Williams told the committee: "There are already lots of accidents in that area - there is going to be absolute mayhem."

However, planning officials said the traffic situation would be monitored and the application was given the go-ahead.

The site is expected to be in operation by October.