Plans lodged for “critical” government hub in Darlington

Plans to build a new government hub in Darlington, which will support the growth of the Darlington Economic Campus, have officially been lodged.The Government Property Agency (GPA) has submitted a planning application for the four-storey building on Brunswick Street which, when completed, will form part of a government campus of three buildings, including Feethams House and Bishopsgate House.The government is investing about £118m into the project.More than 800 civil servants are currently based in Darlington across eight departments, including His Majesty’s Treasury (HMT), the Department for Education and the Department for Business and Trade.Once the new government hub is complete in early 2027, the figure is expected to rise to more than 2,300 people. Of which, 1,450 will be based in the Brunswick Street hub.Construction of the building is expected to commence later this year.Parliamentary secretary for the Cabinet Office Alex Burghart said: “Brunswick Street, situated right in the heart of Darlington, will soon be home to a critical government hub, and as the government footprint in North England continues to grow, we will create further opportunities for people from across the country to work in the civil service.”This is an incredibly exciting time for Darlington as we begin the process of delivering a landmark, sustainable, place-making building which the entire community can take pride in.”Not only will this help drive regional economic growth, but it will also ensure that we create a civil service that better represents the diverse communities it serves.”Clive Anderson, director of capital projects at the GPA, added: “In submitting our planning application, we are a step closer to creating another highly sustainable new government hub which will boost the local economy and see a modern, inspirational and energy-efficient workplace for government departments and their staff attracted to a rewarding civil service career based in Darlington.”The campus is enabling increased investment in the region and supporting the government’s Levelling Up and Places for Growth agendas, creating circa 1,400 Civil Service roles and providing future growth opportunities to the North East of England.”