Shirehall refurbishment costs rocket to £24 million - with pictures

The authority had originally said that remodelling the building and making it fit for purpose would cost in the region of £18 million.

But Clive Wright, chief executive of the council, said that due to parking and IT requirements of future tenants, the costs had increased by a third.

The council announced last December that it planned to renovate the ageing 1960s building and was working with a number of undisclosed partner agencies and commercial bodies with a view to renting out space in the newly remodelled building.

Mr Wright said: "We are changing the way that we work as a council and in the way that we use the building and to be modern and efficient to the best possible advantage.

"We have done a lot of work on this and have looked at whether the refurbishment of Shirehall is feasible. This is a good idea and the best way forward for the council."

He added that the council had explored the possibility of moving its headquarters into the town centre, and had looked at the viability of utilising space within the shopping centres, but had decided that the best use of council money would be to refurbish its current base at Shirehall.

Steve Charmley, the council's portfolio holder for corporate support, said it was right to consider using other locations as possible sites for the council but added: "Shirehall is the place to be.

"We can do other stuff in the town centre that is more commercially viable. We need to be here.

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"But it is far from the truth that the council need some swanky offices. This is about working collaboratively with partners.

"We are looking to change the perception of the building and give a sense of community."

The council's officers are now preparing a £1.15 million design brief which will then go out to tender, attracting bids from interested building contractors.

Project manager, Janet Scholes said that the council was aiming for a planning application to be submitted next March and, subject to approval, construction work would begin in January 2020.

Under the proposals, the entrance and reception area of the building would be dramatically remodelled, with large glass panels.

Welcomed

The interior of the building would revert to its original open plan layout and additional car parking would be created. The public spaces to the front of the building would also be landscaped.

Mr Charmley added: "We want people to be welcomed into the building so improving the entrance arrangements would be key in that.

"A new reception area gives a greater sense of arrival. We are looking to remodel the space within the building to provide private and open work areas and encourage different usage."