Former Worcestershire County Hall site listed for sale after RAAC closure
Worcestershire County Council has launched the sale of its former County Hall site in Worcester, offering a 16.6-acre brownfield redevelopment opportunity on the edge of the city.
The council has appointed Savills to market the site and seek offers from developers and investors, with a deadline of 12 noon on Thursday 12 November.
The site sits on Spetchley Road in Worcester’s Nunnery area, adjacent to Worcester Woods Country Park and close to the M5 and Worcestershire Royal Hospital. It includes the former County Hall headquarters building, records office and boiler house.
County Hall was built in the late 1970s and vacated in June 2024 after Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete was identified within the building. The council relocated its services to nearby accommodation at Wildwood Business Park and subsequently declared the property surplus to operational requirements.
The council has carried out pre-application engagement with Worcester City Council and the highways authority, with feedback supporting demolition and redevelopment of the predominantly brownfield site. Residential-led development was considered acceptable in principle, subject to planning, environmental and technical assessments.
Savills is seeking offers for the freehold interest on either a conditional or unconditional basis.
Councillor Adam Kent, Worcestershire County Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for finance, corporate services and business, said: “County Hall is no longer needed for council operations, so bringing it to market will allow us to make the best use of the site and support the council’s long-term financial position.
“This is an important opportunity for the site to be brought back into use and make a positive contribution to Worcester. We are looking for a purchaser who can put forward plans that unlock its potential and deliver lasting benefits for the area.
“Early discussions with planning officers have indicated that residential development could be suitable, but no decisions have been made about the site’s future use. Any proposals would need to go through the normal planning process.”
Peter Gough, development director at Savills Birmingham, said: “The former County Hall site represents a significant brownfield redevelopment opportunity in a highly sustainable location in Worcester.
“The council has already undertaken extensive technical and planning due diligence, providing interested parties with a strong foundation from which to explore the site’s future potential. We anticipate interest from a range of developers seeking to deliver a scheme that responds positively to the site’s setting and surrounding community.”
