WORK will start next month on controversial plans to build a new civic building in a city centre.

Durham County Council is building its new headquarters in Durham to allow it to demolish the existing Country Hall in the city.

The authority plans to use the land for a business park but its choice to relocate on the Sands car park has been met with widespread opposition by people concerned about environmental issues and traffic congestion, with more than 1,000 people making formal objections.

The new building, which is being constructed by Kier, will be a third of the size of the existing County Hall, providing a more-efficient and modern work space for about 1,000 members of staff.

Councillor Joy Allen, cabinet member for transformation, culture and tourism at Durham County Council, said: “The development of the Aykley Heads site presents a once in a generation opportunity to transform the county’s economic prospects, with the development of what will be one of the most attractive business parks in the whole of the North-East, and has the full support of the business community.

The Northern Echo:

Work starts at The Sands car park in August

“The planned development will create thousands of new high-quality jobs and future employment opportunities for our young people, as well as bringing millions of pounds of investment into the county.

“The relocation of our headquarters is key to this but, furthermore, it will also enable us to develop a more efficient civic building in the heart of Durham City, providing an all year-round economic boost in trade in the city centre.”

Work will start on Monday, August 12, when the Sands car park will be closed and the coach park relocated to Belmont Park and Ride.

Sidegate car park, on the opposite side of the River Wear, will be used for short-stay parking. Disabled parking spaces are available at Walkergate and the Prince Bishops Shopping Centre, while the car park at the Riverwalk has also reopened.

The Northern Echo:

Parish councillor Roger Cornwell at a protest against the development

The project is expected to be completed by autumn 2021.

The City of Durham Parish Council, which is opposed to the scheme, found out in June that it had failed to secure a judicial review of the council's decision to grant planning permission.

A committee granted permission for the building and multi-storey car park in March by an 8-6 margin.

The council is currently trying to de-register part of The Sands, which is designated as common land, to allow it to build on the coach park part of the site.