COUNCILS chiefs have unveiled plans to move out of their headquarters overlooking Durham City – claiming it could trigger the prospect of thousands of new private sector jobs on the site.

Durham County Council’s cabinet will be asked to endorse proposals to vacate their building on Aykley Heads and demolish it, to pave the way for “significant private sector investment”.

Members will be asked to agree to the principle of relocating the headquarters to a new purpose-built building costing an estimated £50m on a site yet to be identified in the city centre.

Depending on the outcome of discussions on the County Durham Plan, council chiefs say between 2,500 and 6,000 new private sector jobs could be secured at the Aykley Heads site.

A report to be considered by members on Wednesday July 15 outlines the costs and savings council officers link to the proposed move.

Cabinet member for economic regeneration, Cllr Neil Foster, said today (Tuesday, July 7): “We have an opportunity we should not miss to pave the way for the sort of investment which will be life-changing for families across the county.

“We desperately need more and higher paid jobs for residents and take the chance to reduce our own costs at the same time.

“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.”

Ian Thompson, the council’s corporate director of regeneration and economic development, said: “We see this site as one of the best in the North-East and have included it in our plans for new commercial development.

“We see that as a chance to grow the economic base of Durham City and an opportunity to provide an extra 6,000 jobs in the local economy creating opportunities for local people.”

A move for the council’s headquarters to a city centre location would also see some of the staff relocated to other bases in Crook, Meadowfield, Seaham and Spennymoor.

The proposals drew immediate opposition from some quarters, with independent Cllr Shuttleworth branding it “economics of the madhouse”.

He said: “You’ve a building that’s bought and paid for and that’s had millions of pounds spent on it over the last 18 years.

“They are playing with numbers and are trying to con the public, instead of providing services to local people.”

He added, city centre site would create parking and access problems.

If members agree to the proposals next week, a detailed business plan will be developed.

This would then be brought back to cabinet in the spring of next year for a final decision.

If the plans are agreed it is anticipated a move would take up to four years to complete.