The Conservative-Lib Dem Council Coalition have sold the proposed new County Hall to Durham University Business School for £50 million.

The Sands development was controversial; however, the decision to sell the building and construct a third County Hall is extraordinary. While in the short term, the Conservative-Lib Dem Coalition need the cash to cover a £15 million budget overspend; this decision will have long-term consequences.

The Council could have made instant annual savings on maintenance and energy costs in excess of £1 million a year, had they moved into the new purpose-built County Hall. The cost of maintaining the outdated, oversized and inefficient County Hall near Aykley Heads will be a recurring expense considering the building is riddled with asbestos.

A County Hall asbestos report runs in excess of 3000 pages, documenting and listing the location of asbestos within the building. While I anticipated the presence of asbestos, I am overwhelmed by the extent across the building:

Durham County Council Asbestos Report

County Hall is a public health hazard, and I question whether it is reasonable to expect people to visit and work in such an unsuitable building. The asbestos report further highlights the naïve and short-sighted decision to sell a modern, safe and purpose-built County Hall in Durham City.

This is a disastrous decision, for the short-term and long-term Council finances and public safety.