The Government Property Agency (GPA) has secured planning consent for a new five-storey, 10,000 sq m (circa 108,000 sq ft) government hub on Brunswick Street in Darlington.
The new office will build on the success of the Darlington Economic Campus (DEC), which comprises Feetham House and Bishopsgate House in Darlington town centre. Work is due to commence on site later this year and completion is earmarked for 2027.
Georgia Gould, Parliamentary secretary for the Cabinet Office, said: “The new development will support Darlington’s economy and allow the civil service to draw on talent and skills across the region. This government is committed to economic growth in every region of the UK and we will get behind cities and towns to deliver new jobs and opportunities for their communities.”
Mark Bourgeois, CEO of the GPA, added: “This is excellent news for our departmental clients and for the town of Darlington. We are delighted to achieve planning permission for this development which will help deliver on the government’s mission in supporting economic growth in the region. It also supports the transformation of the civil service through delivery of a modern, inspirational and energy-efficient office complex.”
Beth Russell, second permanent secretary to the Treasury, said: “This is a great step forward in developing the Darlington Economic Campus. With over 920 new civil service jobs already created in the town and 480 more to come, we are offering the opportunity for people in the North East to do government jobs that were traditionally only available in London, making government policy-making more reflective of the communities we serve.”
