The native authority is ready to start out taking down the constructing in 2027 because it strikes to new premises.
Demolition of the present Durham County Corridor is ready to start subsequent 12 months. (Picture: Google Maps)
A serious UK metropolis’s council corridor is ready to be demolished subsequent 12 months, with a brand new growth taking its place, which it is hoped will add hundreds of jobs. Durham County Council is predicted to start out demolishing its present County Corridor at Aykley Heads, which dates again to 1963, in March 2027.
The Reform UK-led native authority is ready to maneuver into momentary premises this summer season, whereas the close by Rivergreen Centre, acquired in 2023, is being repurposed as the brand new council HQ. Full council conferences might be held at Spennymoor Leisure Centre from September this 12 months till the Rivergreen Centre is prepared.
The council’s growing older premises date again to 1963. (Picture: Google Maps)
In the meantime, committee conferences will happen throughout Salvus Home, The Mild and Inexperienced Lane in Durham, and Spennymoor Schooling Centre.
A proposal to redevelop the Rivergreen Centre premises, together with establishing a brand new council chamber and places of work, was given the inexperienced gentle in February final 12 months.
Workers and companies are set to maneuver out by July 2026, which is predicted to hurry up growth of the brand new Aykley Heads Innovation District, and lower about £350,000 in numerous prices. These embody operating the constructing, repairs and ongoing upkeep, the council stated, as per The Native Democracy Reporting Service.
Again in early 2025, Labour councillors stated roof injury, points with its inside heating and water, and damaged infrastructure meant the present constructing had turn out to be a monetary burden.
Then Social gathering chief Carl Marshall, who went on to lose his seat to Reform, stated: “County Corridor must be on the ground now. They need to be nicely on with the scheme.
“There’s sufficient buildings across the county that may accommodate the council. The council must be going out around the group.”
The unique Aykley Heads web site and the broader space it set to turn out to be a house to “analysis, inexperienced jobs, electronics, digital and inventive, fintech, life sciences and satellite tv for pc purposes sectors”.
In 2025, James Rowlandson, then the council’s Cupboard member for sources, funding and property, stated: “These are actually thrilling occasions for our metropolis and county with the prospect of progress on main websites akin to Aykley Heads and Milburngate, which we all know specifically individuals need to see motion on.
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“It’s long-standing aim of ours to develop a Strategic Employment Website at Aykley Heads and transferring to the subsequent stage of the method of getting into a Joint Enterprise Supply Partnership exhibits we stay dedicated to delivering on that ambition.
“The location has the potential to ship within the area of three,700 high quality jobs for our residents and to be a driving drive for County Durham’s future financial progress, in addition to that of the broader North East.”
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