Major plans approved for Mercedes Benz to upgrade F1 team's HQ in Northamptonshire into 'showcase' campus
Plans have been approved for Mercedes Benz’s to drastically improve their Formula One team’s headquarters in Northamptonshire – despite objections from 30 residents.
Mercedes Benz Grand Prix Ltd has this month (May) had proposals approved to transform its Mercedes-AMG Formula One Team’s HQ in St James Road, Brackley, into a ‘showcase’ parkland campus.
The plans will see significant upgrades, including a new car park for nearly 700 extra vehicles, enhanced landscaping, pedestrian and cycle infrastructure, solar panels, and additional buildings for marketing and employee well-being, according to plans.
A Mercedes Benz spokesman said: “For Mercedes AMG F1 to meet its aspiration to be the most successful F1 team in history, we need to ensure that we have the most talented, dedicated, and inspired staff in motorsport. We will create a showcase parkland campus advocating sustainability, health, and well-being, and providing the best environment possible for our team to succeed.
"It is Mercedes' intention to remain within its current location in Brackley. Mercedes is looking to deliver an exemplar parkland campus of modern, new, and retrofit sustainable design, responding to the location’s unique waterside setting, maximising the wellbeing of their employees, and implementing best practice building design, energy production, and infrastructure.
"Since Mercedes returned to Formula One in 2010, they have been one of the most successful teams in Formula One, winning seven consecutive Drivers' titles from 2014 to 2020 and eight consecutive Constructors' titles from 2014 to 2021. Mercedes aspires to be the most successful F1 team in history with the most talented, dedicated, and inspired staff in motorsport.”
Mercedes-AMG plans to erect a three-storey health and well-being building adjacent to the A43, featuring a restaurant, gym, yoga space, and changing facilities, along with a pedestrian bridge connecting to the main headquarters. Additionally, there will be two-storey extensions to both the main headquarters (adding 596 square meters) and unit one (adding 794 square meters).
The site is where the Mercedes-AMG F1 cars are designed and constructed, although the engines are manufactured at a separate plant in Brixworth.
The company's engineering capabilities extend beyond Formula 1 to include projects such as designing the next British Challenger for the America's Cup. They plan to expand operations, potentially diversifying beyond Formula 1, which could lead to a workforce increase from 1,400 to 1,900 people over the next five years, according to plans.
The plans were approved by West Northants Council (WNC) despite a total of 30 letters of objections from residents.
Objections cite concerns about increased traffic congestion coinciding with peak business hours, underestimated traffic movements, and inadequate consideration of existing road conditions. It calls for a 24-hour contact number for Mercedes, a dedicated traffic warden, and legal agreements for the Car Park Management Plan. Additionally, it suggests limiting employee numbers and highlights unresolved issues with HGV deliveries on St James Road.
One business in St James Road said: “We believe that the increase in traffic, both passing and queued staff cars and HGVs whilst awaiting security clearance, will result in severe disruption for existing businesses.
“Our overall concern is that should this application be granted we would be placed in such a position that we would be forced to seek new premises to ensure that we can maintain our business viability.”