The UK's Government Property Agency (GPA) has submitted a planning application to Darlington Borough Council for the construction of a new four-storey government hub in the region.

To be located on Brunswick Street, this development is part of the Darlington Economic Campus (DEC). 

The DEC hosts several governmental departments such as the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities, and the Office for National Statistics, among others. 

The UK government has allocated approximately £118m ($148.98m) for the project. 

The proposed Brunswick Street hub will join Feethams House and Bishopsgate House, forming three government buildings within Darlington's town centre.  

Once operational, the hub will house more than 2,300 civil servants, with 1,450 based at Brunswick Street. 

Since the inception of the Places for Growth programme in 2021, Darlington has seen the relocation of 762 civil service roles.  

GPA Capital Projects director Clive Anderson said: “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.” 

Construction is scheduled to commence later this year, with completion targeted for early 2027. 

The project is expected to generate an additional £180m of value for the wider UK economy.