The Mercedes Formula 1 team will increase its workforce after the West Northamptonshire Council officially approved the plans to upgrade its Brackley factory facility.
The submitted proposal made by Mercedes includes an extension to the main headquarters, a three-tiered marketing building and a health and well-being centre.
However, opposition emerged from local businesses amid plans to utilise St James Road as an additional route for Mercedes personnel to access, along with Lauda Drive.
Simon Wheeler, Managing Director for healthcare supplier Canonbury Products Ltd, blamed Mercedes for displaying “gross disrespect” towards the community, citing that their project would impose increased traffic streams upon the surrounding areas.
But the council has sanctioned Mercedes’ plans, which will enable the team to broaden its ranks with the addition of 500 new people to 1900 employees over the next five years.
Meanwhile, the modifications to its Brackley site will place an emphasis on sustainability by turning a a huge proportion of car parking spaces into a landscaped parkland setting.
Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff, who has extended through until the end of 2026, previously outlined that the development plans were “being done for our people.”
“Here, form follows function – not the other way round,” the 52 -year-old continued.
“It’s all being done to create a great place to work and spend time. We want it to become its own little village, with all the amenities and benefits that you would expect from a Silicon Valley style environment.”
Daniel Lister, West Northamptonshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Town Centre Regeneration and Growth, believes the expansion will offer “fantastic opportunities for economic growth and investment” in the town of Brackley.
“I am delighted that Mercedes has chosen to invest and expand its world-famous motorsport engineering in West Northamptonshire,” Lister expressed.
“The site is located in an area which is known for motorsport given the proximity of the Silverstone circuit and our location within Motorsport Valley. This is an area of national significance in the high-tech innovation and high-performance engineering sectors.
“These plans promise fantastic opportunities for economic growth and inward investment in Brackley and support our strive to be a leader in driving innovation while supporting business growth and building a strong, responsive and thriving local economy.
“This development is likely to generate around 500 new full-time jobs with a predicted expenditure of approximately £70m which would further feed into the local economy and create additional full time jobs during construction.
“Our Economic Growth & Inward Investment Team have been working closely with Mercedes to deliver impactful benefits to the local labour market, including local recruitment, school engagement and more.”
