A BUILDING firm has secured a deal to oversee the construction of a 6,000-job local Government hub.

Wates Construction will build the latest two blocks at Leeds’ Wellington Place.

Bosses say staff from the contractor’s Darlington office, based in the town’s West Park, will lead a project to deliver 378,000sq ft of office space for 6,000 civil servants.

Due to be finished in 2020, the hub will complement buildings already completed at Wellington Place by Wates, with the company’s North-East team also working on Select Property Group’s Strawberry Place Vita student development near Newcastle’s St James’ Park.

Paul Dodsworth, Wates’ business unit director for Yorkshire and the North-East, said the company was honoured to have picked up its latest arrangement.

He added: “It is a true testament to our North-East team’s understanding and commitment that we have been awarded the contract.

“To be able to continue our partnership in building a strong base for Leeds businesses and public sector bodies is incredibly rewarding.

“This new appointment further reinforces our position as the contractor of choice for commercial developments.”

Wellington Place is led by commercial property operator MEPC, and James Dipple, chief executive, said Wates’ support has been, and will continue to be, invaluable, as it continues with the development.

He added: “This is an exciting time for Wellington Place and we are thrilled to be chosen as the home for the new regional Government hub.

“The Government’s decision to locate here is great news and we’re proud to be a part of its sustained development.

“We can’t wait to see what the future holds.”

Earlier this year, Wates said it would push on with commercial and residential work after seeing annual turnover and profit increase.

Bosses said its achievements were helped by its residential division overseeing the £13m Tree Top Village retirement complex on behalf of Newcastle City Council and Your Homes Newcastle, and its Living Space arm, which maintained properties on behalf of South Tyneside Homes.

Those successes came after it took over parts of York-based Shepherd Group, including its Darlington engineering division, which led construction of trainbuilder Hitachi Rail Europe’s £82m factory in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.

Wates’ Shepherd deal included its engineering services and facilities management operations, as well as a number of construction contracts and frameworks.

At the time, Shepherd bosses said it would provide more opportunity for that business to focus on its Portakabin portable building division.