Great British Railways headquarters confirmed for Becketwell site in Derby

Great British Railways (GBR) will base its national headquarters at 3 Springwell Square, an eight-storey office planned for the Becketwell regeneration site in Derby city centre, the government confirmed on 15 October 2026.

The Department for Transport (DfT) said the building will house up to 450 GBR staff and estimated the decision will deliver a £151m boost to the regional economy. It described Becketwell as a brownfield site in the heart of the city.

GBR is the body that will oversee the operation, maintenance and improvement of Britain's rail network. Heidi Alexander, Transport Secretary, said: "Great British Railways will bring the railway together around one mission - better services for passengers".

The building is designed by Corstorphine & Wright for developer St James Securities, in partnership with Derby City Council. The council also names Peveril Securities as a joint development partner at Becketwell.

The building

Derby City Council announced on 6 October that St James Securities had submitted a planning application for the Grade A office. The site is the former Duckworth Square, and the proposals include an extension to Springwell Square and a pocket park on Macklin Street.

The council said the application followed a public consultation that attracted hundreds of residents. GBR will be the first occupant of the building, it added.

Corstorphine & Wright said the office occupies an island site overlooking Springwell Square, with a curved frontage to the square and a more restrained elevation to Macklin Street, where it sits next to housing.

The sources differ on the size of the building. The architect gives about 9,921 sq m (106,785 sq ft) of office space, the council's planning notice gives 106,544 sq ft, and the developer's consultation site describes a 107,000 sq ft building.

They also differ on the programme. The government said construction is expected to begin in early 2027 and finish by spring 2029. The council's planning notice said work is anticipated to start in summer 2027, with completion targeted for late spring 2029, subject to approvals.

Funding and partners

Derby City Council said it is working with the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) to determine the best partnership approach to funding delivery of the building.

The council said the headquarters will be supported by public transport and walking links delivered with the DfT, the council, EMCCA and developers St James Securities and Peveril Securities.

Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Leader of Derby City Council, said it had been a four-year journey and that there were still a few stops to go.

Paul Morris, Development Director at St James Securities, said the decision was a vote of confidence in both the city and the Becketwell development, and that the company was delighted GBR had chosen to make its home in Derby.

How the site was chosen

Derby was confirmed as GBR's home in March 2023 after a six-city shortlist, securing 22% of the public vote, according to the council.

In April 2026 the search for a building was narrowed to two locations from a five-site long-list: Becketwell and Midland House, an existing railway building opposite Derby station. The council said the final decision would weigh regeneration and economic value, value for money, and environmental and social impact.

Lord Hendy, rail minister, said at the time that Derby would be the heart of Great British Railways.

Becketwell background

Corstorphine & Wright said it has worked on the £200m Becketwell scheme since 2018, producing the original masterplan and designing earlier phases including The Condor, a 259-home build-to-rent development, and Vaillant Live, a 3,500-capacity entertainment and events venue.

Marek Sroka, Associate Director at the practice, said 3 Springwell Square was the next chapter of the masterplan, building on the homes, public realm and leisure uses already delivered.

The same government announcement confirmed a rail foundation apprenticeship, under which up to 600 apprentices aged 16 to 21 will enrol over the next four years.

The planning application for 3 Springwell Square is now with Derby City Council for determination.