Next steps for City Hall

In 2025, over 1,600 residents told us what they wanted from City Hall: better access, more community events, more public use of the building, and a space that feels welcoming to everyone. Those views have shaped the plans you can see here.

Following planning consent granted earlier this year, work has already started to make the building more accessible, including a new entrance ramp, internal lift for wheelchair users, accessible toilets and automatic doors.

We’re now looking at the future possibilities in terms of how the building could be refurbished and used, including proposals to open it up for community and public use.

It’s important to know that any decisions on the future of City Hall will be made after the outcome of the review of Local Government Reorganisation – including how any such proposals will be funded.

This current aspect of our public conversation about City Hall has a specific focus – we will be seeking planning permission which builds in flexibility in terms of future changes and use of the building.

As City Hall is a Grade II* listed building, we need to submit a planning application that is flexible enough for any outcome of the review of Local Government Reorganisation.

But before we apply for planning consent, we want your views on our plans.

The proposals which have emerged from the previous consultation feature:

  • New refurbished lobby and entrance area
  • New civic living room
  • New light filled atrium
  • Sensitively restored council chambers and civic suite
  • Repaired and more accessible clock tower
  • New open and flexible workspaces

These proposals have been deliberately designed with flexibility built in so a range of options are available.

We would love to hear your views at this point so we can take a closer step towards being granted planning consent whatever the outcome of the review of Local Government Reorganisation. So please, do take the time to take part in the survey.

How to take part

  • Have your say — complete the survey below.

The survey will be open from Wednesday 9 September until Wednesday 30 September 2026.

In 2025, over 1,600 residents told us what they wanted from City Hall: better access, more community events, more public use of the building, and a space that feels welcoming to everyone. Those views have shaped the plans you can see here.

Following planning consent granted earlier this year, work has already started to make the building more accessible, including a new entrance ramp, internal lift for wheelchair users, accessible toilets and automatic doors.

We’re now looking at the future possibilities in terms of how the building could be refurbished and used, including proposals to open it up for community and public use.

It’s important to know that any decisions on the future of City Hall will be made after the outcome of the review of Local Government Reorganisation – including how any such proposals will be funded.

This current aspect of our public conversation about City Hall has a specific focus – we will be seeking planning permission which builds in flexibility in terms of future changes and use of the building.

As City Hall is a Grade II* listed building, we need to submit a planning application that is flexible enough for any outcome of the review of Local Government Reorganisation.

But before we apply for planning consent, we want your views on our plans.

The proposals which have emerged from the previous consultation feature:

  • New refurbished lobby and entrance area
  • New civic living room
  • New light filled atrium
  • Sensitively restored council chambers and civic suite
  • Repaired and more accessible clock tower
  • New open and flexible workspaces

These proposals have been deliberately designed with flexibility built in so a range of options are available.

We would love to hear your views at this point so we can take a closer step towards being granted planning consent whatever the outcome of the review of Local Government Reorganisation. So please, do take the time to take part in the survey.

How to take part

  • Have your say — complete the survey below.

The survey will be open from Wednesday 9 September until Wednesday 30 September 2026.

  • Survey

    45 responses

    This survey takes about 6 minutes to complete. We'll publish a summary of what we heard before the planning application goes in.

    Take Survey
Page last updated: 09 Sep 2026, 11:54 AM