Durham County Council is looking to sell its new headquarters to Durham University, arguing the move would deliver a number of economic benefits.
Following a review, cabinet will be asked to approve the sale of the building and agree a business case for alternative civic and office accommodation at Aykley Heads in Durham City, along with office accommodation in Stanley.
The council said the proceeds of the sale of the building would cover the costs of construction and the alternative accommodation strategy.
It also said the provision of office accommodation in Stanley town centre would help to further regenerate the town.
Cllr Richard Bell, the council's cabinet member for finance, said: 'The driving factors behind this work are ensuring that we provide good value for money for the authority and that any decisions we make are in the best interests of the county's residents.
'We believe that the proposal to sell the building at The Sands to Durham University would achieve four aims: coupled with the redevelopment of the DLI Museum and Art Gallery, it would kick-start the wider development of the Aykley Heads strategic employment site; it would secure the university's new business school in the heart of the city, bringing significant economic and commercial benefits - the university is a globally-ranked Russell Group university and is of considerable importance to the county's economy and we are pleased to be working in partnership with it.'
