Council plans demolition work in next HQ revamp

A council wants to demolish part of a building it plans to use as its new headquarters before adding a new extension.

Oxfordshire County Council plans to sell its current HQ at County Hall in Oxford and to move to Speedwell Street across the city centre.

Documents on the authority's website show it plans to knock down the north wing of Speedwell House but then add a five-storey extension to its north and west wings.

The authority plans to move to Speedwell House in spring 2027, with County Hall set to become a hotel.

Designs show that Speedwell House is expected to have a new council chamber, with capacity for up to 180 people, and new coroner's court, both on its first floor.

The court is anticipated to have its own entrance from Speedwell Street.

The council hopes the revamped building will "act as a catalyst for the regeneration of this administrative quarter of the city", with Oxford's magistrates' and crown courts nearby.

About 1,000 of the authority's staff are expected to be based at Speedwell House but only about 30% of them are expected to work there at any one time.

The building was granted permission by Oxford City Council in the early 1970s and has been used by the county council since then.

It would also get new windows and a balcony on the west side of the building if plans are approved.

The council previously said any proceeds made on County Hall's sale would go towards work on Speedwell House.

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