More than 150 angry protesters joined forces this weekend to campaign over the closure of a Durham city car and coach park as work to a new £50m council headquarters gets under way.
And they united in outrage as they showed their fury towards council bosses at the site.
The Sands car park has been closed for two years to allow the construction of Durham County Council’s new plush HQ.
But irate residents have questioned the erection of the fence at the car park, which is still registered as Common Land, to allow the works to begin.
A number of trees have also been felled on the grounds and the protest over the works was launched on Saturday.
Janet George, secretary of St Nicholas Community Forum, which has organised the protest, said: “About 150 people came to the protest on Saturday which goes to show the feeling about what people think. We are sick of being ridden roughshod over by the council and by taking away this Common Land the wildlife is losing its habitat, which is unnecessary.
“In fact at the protest a distressed baby hedgehog was spotted and people went through the fencing to get it. It has now been given to hedgehog rescue.
“About 25 people brought us written messages telling us exactly how they feel about Common Land being taken over. Lots more have sent us emails telling us what they feel about the council’s HQ, the closure of the car parks, seeking de-registration of common land, and taking space in the city centre which could otherwise serve the public good.
“We will be passing these messages to senior staff at Civic Hall, more specifically to Terry Collins, the Chief Executive, and Simon Henig, Labour leader of the County Council.”
Janet added: “Following the granting of the planning application there was a virtually immediate granting of planning permission to fell the trees.
“The day the car park closed tree felling began first thing. Destruction of a vital habitat and much needed oxygenating trees who play a part in soaking up potential flood water.
“It remains fenced off from us despite being common.”
Construction firm Kier began initial works on the site on Monday and is expected to start major work next month, with the project due for completion in autumn 2021.
Plans for the HQ were approved by councillors after campaigners took to the streets in protest over the proposals.
The council will move from its current site on Aykley Heads to the new building, which will accommodate around 1,000 staff, a council chamber, cafe facility and new civic square.
Chairwoman of the City of Durham Parish Council Councillor Elizabeth Scott said: “The Parish Council has real concerns about the unexpected fencing which has been erected around the common land.
“This land has not yet been de-registered, no works are taking place on this particular area of land and members of the public by law have a right to roam on this land.
“We have written to the County Council to request that this fencing be removed immediately. Furthermore, a number of much-loved trees have been felled to support this scheme.
“The county council earlier this year declared a climate emergency and have felled these trees at a time when we need more not less tress in our city centre.”
The council said the fencing has been put in place for health and safety reasons.
Lorraine O’Donnell, the local authority’s director of transformation and partnerships, said: “Initial works to build the new HQ for the council started on Monday with the main construction work starting in September.
“Fencing has been put up at the site in the interests of health and safety while we carry out the works.
“We are currently following a process to deregister part of the land which has been used as a coach park since the 1990s.
“The removal of trees was part of the agreed planning permission and is being carried out in accordance with an ecological assessment.
“Part of the construction involves retaining a number of protected specimens and planned re-planting.”
Today's must-read news, sport and entertainment
The local authority says the development will pave the way for a new multi-million pound business district at Aykley Heads, creating 6,000 new jobs and delivering a £400m boost to the county.
Brian McQuade, managing director for Kier Regional Building Scotland and North East, said: “This project, in the heart of Durham City provides us with an excellent opportunity to not only deliver a first-class facility for Durham County Council but to also create exciting job opportunities in the local community.
“We aim to leave a positive legacy in all areas we operate and look forward to working with our local supply chain partners and Durham County Council to deliver this new project.”
