Protesters fight council HQ plan
200 gather to object to £50m city development
MORE than 200 protesters gathered in Durham to fight future plans to build a £50m County Hall in the city centre.
Carrying banners, campaigners took to the streets after plans for Durham County Council’s new headquarters were recommended for approval.
The local authority wants to move from its current site on Aykley Heads to a new building at The Sands car park in Durham city centre.
The council says will bring office space with “significant employment” into the city centre and will bring economic benefits, such as footfall and expenditure in the city
But the proposals have been opposed by some and the council has received almost 1,000 letters of objection.
They range from traffic concerns to the negative impact the development could have on the city’s World Heritage site status.
On Saturday, protesters gathered in the Market Place to voice their views through a demonstration.
Poppy Solari, of Durham Vintage, said: “As a market trader in Durham City I cannot see how relocating County Hall will help the local economy. It will hinder it. Adding more workers and traffic into the city. Where will our shoppers park? I am dreading this prospect.”
Elizabeth Scott, Chair of the City it of Durham Parish Council, said: “The Parish Council shares the concerns of those in the local community, most of them the people who elected us but realised the County Council might brush them aside as being from amateurs when they have consultants’ reports.
“That’s why we went to the professionals: specialist environmental solicitors and traffic consultants. The professional view backs up what the people who love Durham have been saying, and we shall be making that point loud and clear when the Planning Committee discusses this on Tuesday.”
Kathryn Banks, one of the demo organisers, who lives near The Sands, said: “Durham County Council just keep repeating that they want to build a business park
on Aykley Heads. But of course the replacement for County Hall does not have to be on the Sands.”
Councillors on the local authority’s planning committee are being asked to approve the application on Tuesday, though it could be referred to the Secretary of State.
In a report to councillors, outlining public benefits for the development, planning bosses say: “Firstly some of the heritage harm is countered by the positive impacts of the HQ building itself, which would result overall in a positive contribution in design terms to this particular corner of the city.”
It says that although traffic and air quality is a significant part of the objections, there are potential benefits to reduce traffic at some junctions and routes. Planners also state bringing office space with “significant employment” into the city centre will bring economic benefits, such as footfall and expenditure in the city.
If given the go-ahead, the plans, lodged by Kier Property Development, would include a council chamber, cafe and new civic square and car park. The current building at Aykley Heads will be demolished and developed as a centre for hightech and high-paying jobs.