Durham County Hall Demolition Set to Begin in 2026

Durham plans to tear down County Hall at Aykley Heads. They will move into renovated offices close by. The Rivergreen Centre will become the new main office. A council chamber is also coming to Rivergreen.

Labour councillors say County Hall costs too much. The building has roof damage and broken systems. Heating and water issues exist there, also. Staff members are moving out now. They are going to Corten House and Salvus House.

The 2024/25 budget was £1.5 million. It drops to £900,000 in 2025/26. Less staff are working there now. Carl Marshall thinks County Hall should be gone. He believes other buildings can hold the council.

He wants the council to be out in the area. Another £2.8 million is for demolition. The total demolition budget reaches £13.3 million. Demolishing the site is apparently “complex.”

Paul Darby says plans are progressing well. He says the majority of staff moved. Civic duties stay at County Hall until 2026. This allows for the new council chamber’s creation. The Rivergreen area helps to create a Durham “Innovation District”. It should attract high-tech jobs.

Progress increased with a development partner. They will build a strategic employment site. The current site will attract around 3,700 jobs. Durham revealed the land plans back in 2018.

Durham wishes for Aykley Heads to house research jobs. Green jobs, electronics, and creative sectors are planned, too. Fintech, life sciences, and satellite jobs are anticipated. Durham University and the data center will be involved. Milburngate and the museum will be part of it. All of this will form the Durham Innovation District.