A PUBLIC meeting is set to be called to give people “a real chance” to have their say on controversial proposals to build new headquarters for a North-East authority.

Durham County Council wants to build a new county hall in Durham city centre, so it can move away from Aykley Heads as part of plans to put a business park there.

The plans, which would see Kier construct a five-storey building on land currently occupied by The Sands car park, have been widely criticised by people from the city.

The City of Durham Parish Council, which is objecting to the plans, is now planning a public meeting at the Radisson Hotel, in Durham, to allow people to express their views.

Councillor Victoria Ashfield, also a member of St Nicholas Community Forum, said: “No notice has been taken of the fact that a questionnaire organised by the residents’ association indicated opposition to the extent of 98 per cent of respondents; a petition among wider County Durham residents indicates a similar level of opposition; the City Parish Council and the local Constituency Labour Party have both unanimously voted to ask the county council to pause, think again and carry out a meaningful consultation.

“All public views have so far been ignored: the county council has shown no respect for the residents of the city or the county.”

A planning application was submitted by Kier in August. So far almost 80 people have objected to it, with comments made describing it as “utterly brainless”, “entirely inappropriate” and “thoroughly flawed”.

The location, road safety, added air pollution, air quality, “banal” design and impact on the environment have all been cited by those against the scheme.

The parish council is holding an extraordinary meeting next Wednesday, September 5, when it expects to approve the public meeting, to take place on Monday, September 17.

At the meeting on Wednesday, which takes place at Shakespeare Hall, North Road, at 7pm, cllr John Ashby is going to submit a motion to look at the feasibility of seeking an injunction so the council would not be able to determine the application.

The meeting on September 17 is set to take place at the Radisson Hotel, at 7pm.

Stuart Timmiss, the council’s head of planning and assets, said: “Following pre-application consultation, the planning application is now going through the statutory consultation process set out by government.

“It can be viewed on our website and we would encourage everyone to let us know their views either online, by email or by writing to us. The closing date for the consultation is September 6 however any comments received after this will be still considered.”