A CONSORTIUM will reveal its plans to redevelop a key city centre site next week (Tuesday, February 24).

The group has bought Milburngate House, next to the River Wear in Durham city centre, and wants to create a “mixed-use development” on the site.

That is likely to mean the 1960s office block being demolished and it has been strongly suggested Durham County Council may move onto the site, so its existing County Hall headquarters in Aykley Heads can be demolished to make way for a business hub.

However, developers are remaining tight-lipped until a public exhibition at the nearby Radisson Blu Hotel on Tuesday, February 24, from 1pm to 7pm.

Milburngate House is currently home to 1,400 Passport and National Savings and Invesments (NS&I) workers, who will move across the Wear to the new £27m Freeman’s Reach development by around 2017.

The same consortium, including Arlington Real Estate, Carillion and Richardsons Capital LLP, is working on both Freeman’s Reach and Milburngate House.

Allan Cook, managing director of Arlington Real Estate, said: “We’re delighted to have this opportunity to deliver our vision to regenerate Durham’s riverside with the redevelopment of Milburngate House.

“We are currently developing our ideas for the site and we are keen to meet with local people at our exhibition to discuss our thoughts and listen to their views.

“It will be a great opportunity for us to share our passion for Durham and show how we are continuing in our commitment to helping improve upon its fantastic reputation as a historic, yet forward-looking city.”

More information will be available soon online at durhamriversiderenewal.co.uk