The Courthouse building, with its fine limestone ashlar facades and ionic portico is the nucleus of an area which already has a strong civic character and ambience. On examination it has beyond doubt, significant potential to be further developed and enhanced as a new civic precinct for the whole town. The relocation of a playing field within the park would release this potential and give the very best opportunity of fulfilling the aspirations of the briefing document in its entirety.

The scheme proposes a building which is set back from New Road forming a south facing shared civic space between itself and the Courthouse. The new building mediates between this new formal square and the recreation facilities of a rejuvenated park to the north. It is three storeys high which is similar to the height of the Courthouse. There is access to the new space addressing County Hall for the full frontage on New Road or by ramp from the Memorial Garden below the courthouse forecourt. Visitor parking is at the eastern side of the building while secure parking for staff and elected members at basement level also accessed from Lifford Road.