Protesters call for Durham County Council to scrap plans for new £50m HQ

By Kris Jepson

Protesters have gathered in Durham market place to call for the County Council to scrap plans for a new fifty million pound headquarters at The Sands.

The plans will be on the agenda at Tuesday's Cabinet meeting, and if approved, the council says it will boost the local economy.

Watch @krisjepson's report here:

The protesters told ITV News they take issue with the location of the proposed new HQ, which the council proposes to base on The Sands car park.

The city's Parish Council leader, Cllr Elizabeth Scott said "it's bad for business. Durham will lose its coach park, which it relies on for day visitors and half-day visitors. That cannot be good for a city like Durham".

A market trader who sells coats and jackets at the market place said she is concerned how her business will be impacted by the new HQ.

Poppy Solari said "It's going to affect my business. It's taking away car parking. They're building a multi-story car park to replace The Sands, but that's not going to cover the amount of extra cars and extra people that are going to come to work, so it's going to take parking away from our shoppers".

One protester claimed the current site of County Hall at Aykley Heads would be a much better option.

Durham County Council told ITV News that the plans will create jobs, cut costs and boost the local economy.