A COUNCIL has revealed plans to build offices for hundreds of Government workers whose jobs could be moved out of a town.

Darlington Borough Council says it wants to erect a 32,000sq ft office block to house about 480 Department for Education (DfE) civil servants.

The workers will be transferred from their current base at Mowden Hall, in Darlington, to another site across the North-East.

The DfE, which is looking to cut 1,000 jobs nationally, said it is considering alternative sites in Darlington, Durham and Newcastle, after Mowden Hall became too expensive to repair.

Staff say they would be unable to afford the travel costs if their jobs are moved from the town, and the DfE will announce its decision in April.

The council yesterday unveiled its cross-party Case for Darlington project, saying the offices would be built next to the town hall and a new £30m leisure complex, creating easier travel links a hub for local and national Government bodies.

Councillor Bill Dixon, leader of Darlington Borough Council, said: “Since the DfE's announcement, we have hard to make the case and identify solutions for the department to stay in Darlington.

“We believe we are the best place in the region for the DfE and have an unbeatable offer because whatever they need, we have got it.

“This represents an incredibly strong offer and although it will mean building work and some disruption, surely we would rather see that than a tumbleweed blowing through the town?

“The department cannot say we haven't got the right environment here to keep the workers, this is the strongest case that Darlington could have put forward.”

It says the new building could be erected by November 2014, saving the DfE about £700,000 over five years in office rent, and has also put forward Lingfield Point, in Darlington, as another site, which offers purpose-built offices for hundreds of workers.

The Northern Echo: New Offices
Artist's impression of proposed new offices

The move comes after The Northern Echo last month presented a petition containing more than 1,200 signatures to Downing Street, alongside Darlington MP Jenny Chapman, urging the DfE to keep the jobs in the town.

Coun Heather Scott, leader of the opposition Conservative group, said: “It is imperative we keep these jobs in Darlington and we will work together to do everything we can to do that.

“Everything they are asking for, Darlington has got in spades.”

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