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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Plans made for city 'Whitehall' | Plans made for city 'Whitehall' |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The government is looking at the possibility of a "Whitehall" for north-west England. | The government is looking at the possibility of a "Whitehall" for north-west England. |
| Plans have been drawn up for a civil service "campus", close to Piccadilly Station in Manchester city centre. | Plans have been drawn up for a civil service "campus", close to Piccadilly Station in Manchester city centre. |
| Regional Minister Beverley Hughes and the city council's leader Sir Richard Leese will visit the site later, when the plans will be unveiled. | |
| In total, more than 5,000 civil servants could be based on the Mayfield site by 2014, the government said. | In total, more than 5,000 civil servants could be based on the Mayfield site by 2014, the government said. |
| Ms Hughes said the plans were a "really exciting opportunity" to create a "hub for Whitehall for the region". | Ms Hughes said the plans were a "really exciting opportunity" to create a "hub for Whitehall for the region". |
| The plans are part of a wider push to relocate 24,000 civil servant posts outside London. | The plans are part of a wider push to relocate 24,000 civil servant posts outside London. |
| The government is committed to moving civil service jobs away from London Beverley HughesRegional Minister | |
| Government Office for the North West, the Highways Agency and the Training and Development Agency are already due to move into Piccadilly Gate, close to Mayfield, next year. | |
| The new proposal would expand this into a campus. | |
| Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: "We are delighted with the announcement today, particularly at a time when good news is in short supply. | |
| "Manchester City Council and its partners will play a full and constructive role in working with Government to ensure this initiative is bought to fruition as quickly as possible." | |
| 'Significant news' | |
| The new development would be built to the highest environmental standards and will be in a parkland setting, the government said. | |
| Ms Hughes said: "This is potentially very significant news for Manchester and for the North West. | |
| "The government is committed to moving civil service jobs away from London and the development of the site alongside Piccadilly Station presents a real opportunity for the city to seize the initiative. | |
| "This also opens up the possibility of regenerating an important part of the city centre." |