THE new headquarters for Eastleigh Borough Council is set to be Eastleigh House, the Daily Echo can reveal.

Bosses claim the move will make the authority more accessible to the public, save costs in the long term and utilise a building more suited to the number of staff they employ.

They also argue the current civic building had become an “environmental disaster” that was too cold in the winter and too hot in the summer and with repairs it could become a financial burden.

Some 320 of the council’s 530-strong workforce who are based at the current Leigh Road hub will have to move to the new town centre offices.

The move, due to take about 18 months, will also see the 20 workers at the town centre Enterprise House offices relocate to the new building. Critics have expressed concerns over the future of the giant Leigh Road site and there are fears developers may want to turn it into flats.

Council Leader Keith House said: “Downsizing for times of austerity and the opportunity to make a one-stop shop for local public services were two key considerations when the Cabinet considered options for the future of the civic offices. “We have a clear choice. If we continue making do and mending, we know one day we’ll face a truly massive repair bill. Improving a building in the town centre will cost less than repairing our own building, and it will place us in a smaller building more suited to our needs.”

He added the move would be carried out with no cost to the taxpayer, would put the base closer to public transport links, shops and services and make the current site available for “intensive development.”

The council is in the process of purchasing Eastleigh House as part of it growing portfolio of town centre properties. The authority’s current home cost £1m when it was built on farmland 35 years ago The Lib Dem controlled council is expected to rubber stamp the recommendation on December 16.