Various feasibility studies have been carried out on this building to provide a space to accommodate all departments of the council based on a recent new way of working report.  The final feasibility report was accepted and a combination of refurbishment and new build was the chosen solution.

The Council has chose to conduct a mini competition through the OGC Buying Solutions' "project management & full design team services framework" to secure the services of the multi-discipline team to assist with the design and procurement of a refurbished and extended headquarters building.

The existing building is a three storey steel frame and hollow plank floor construction with a steel truss tiled pitched roof built in1936 but not completed for occupation by the council until 1951 due to the war. The elevations are Brickwork with punch windows and stone to the entrance areas. It is a three sided building with a courtyard to the centre. Within the courtyard several buildings have been constructed during the subsequent years.

The internal courtyard is to be cleared of all the buildings and the new office space requirements constructed in this area together with the new council meeting rooms. The centre court area now becoming totally enclosed with atriums and glazing providing natural light The structural solution preferred is steel frame and precast concrete planks due to the need to lift all materials over the existing building. The foundations proposed for the new build area is piled due to the close proximity of the river and poor bearing capacity of the ground.

New storm drainage retention is to be provided under the existing external car park and power is provided by hydro electric generation from a weir local to the building.