CITY MP Christine Russell has presented a petition to Parliament criticising Cheshire West and Chester Council’s failure to consult the public over the sale of County Hall.

The 350-name petition, raised by community activist Reg Barritt, of Handbridge, asks for the affair to be scrutinised by the Select Committee for Communities.

But the Tory council insists it was not obliged to consult and said the sale of County Hall to Chester University for £10m will help regenerate the city.

Labour MP Ms Russell, who is sympathetic to the petitioners, said: “I do think that it was all rushed through with undue haste. The council is legally obliged to consult under the Sustainable Communities Act that was passed in 2007.”

Council spokesman Ian Callister said: “As we have stated many times, this authority regards the sale of County Hall to the University of Chester as a vital first step in the regeneration of the city.

“As regards consultation, there was no requirement on the council to consult with the public simply because County Hall is an administrative building and not a building providing a direct service.”