Nottinghamshire County Council plans to vacate historic headquarters due to spiralling costs

Nottinghamshire County Council has revealed plans to vacate its historic headquarters on the banks of the River Trent due to spiralling costs.

The authority said County Hall in West Bridgford is too large and expensive to maintain, with many staff now working from home.

It is planning to relocate to a new purpose-built and sustainable building at the Top Wighay development on Annesley Road in Hucknall.

The relocation proposal, which is recommended to be given the go-ahead, is subject to approval at a Full Council meeting on Thursday, July 13.

Cllr Ben Bradley MP, the council’s leader, said: “County Hall is an old building which is too expensive to operate and maintain and would cost tens of millions of taxpayers’ money to make it viable for the future, which we of course can’t justify.

“We want to spend that money on public services, not on running office buildings.”

The future of County Hall, which has been home to the council since 1946, is not yet known.

Nottinghamshire County Council said the historic building costs more than £1.7m to operate and maintain each year, and it requires an estimated £58m investment for essential maintenance and environmental improvements by 2035.

The authority claimed moving its civic, democratic and leadership base would bring long-term savings for taxpayers’ money and environmental benefits.

Cllr Bradley said the move to “the very heart of our county” would “help to bring jobs, skills and investment into the Hucknall area”.

The council’s proposed new low-carbon, all-electric office near Hucknall already has full planning permission and is estimated to cost £18.3m to build.

The building has been designed to include high insulation levels and heat-absorbing features to reduce heating costs in winter, which would also keep the building cool in the summer months, so no air-conditioning would be installed.

If approved, construction of the new headquarters would begin later this year and be completed by winter 2024/25.

Cllr Keith Girling, the authority’s cabinet member for economic development and asset management, said County Hall is “often only around a third full” and that the council has no plans to vacate Trent Bridge House in West Bridgford.

“We have to make this decision and investment now to save taxpayers’ money in the long run,” he added.

Cllr Bradley said: “It’s still too early to comment on the future of County Hall, but we will be speaking to our staff and partners about all the options for the future.

“Being an iconic Nottinghamshire landmark with a riverside location along the Trent makes it a very attractive site.

“But whatever happens, its heritage will be respected.”