Andy Burnham's much-hyped 'No10 North' won't be ready for at least SIX YEARS and faces local anger about gridlock and 'dull' design

By JAMES TAPSFIELD, UK POLITICAL EDITOR Published: 12:51, 3 July 2026 | Updated: 12:59, 3 July 2026 Andy Burnham's much-hyped 'No10 North' will not be ready for use for at least six years.  The former Greater Manchester Mayor has made having a base in the city a key plank of his 'new approach' as he takes over from Keir Starmer. However, it has emerged that the five-acre site he has in mind, already earmarked for a civil service hub, is only scheduled to be up and running in 2032. Mr Burnham's team is thought to be trying to make arrangements for an interim location where the so-called 'King of the North' can work away from Downing Street, But other options, such as a GCHQ building in Manchester, still lack many of the security arrangements that would be required for regular use by the leader of the country. No10 is in a gated zone entirely closed off from the public, and guarded round the clock by armed police. Local residents have also voiced reservations about the plans, describing the design as 'dull' and warning about problems with parking and 'overcrowding'.  Andy Burnham has made 'No10 North' a key plank of his 'new approach' as he takes over from Keir Starmer The site he has in mind in Manchester is already earmarked for a civil service hub - and is only scheduled to be up and running by 2032 (artist's impression) Last night Mr Burnham gave his first broadcast interview since Sir Keir's resignation, confirming 'No10 North' will be on a disused retail park close to Manchester Piccadilly station. He told LBC: 'This is about obviously extending the Downing Street operation, creating a North Pole, if you like, so that the country can see that the power is more balanced. Number 10 North will act in the interests of everywhere though.' Asked for a more specific location, he said: 'There is already a proposal for a government digital campus close to Manchester Piccadilly, so it is my intention, if I get the opportunity, is to base it there. 'I will spend time there, because I think it's really important to show a new drive around taking power out of Westminster. Why? To get growth in every postcode around around the country.' The Treasury approved the 'outline case' for the civil service campus in Manchester in March this year, but it has been in development since the council acquired the land in 2017.  Construction is due to get going over the coming years but the 'target' for it becoming operational is not until 2032 - three years after the latest date for the next general election.  At that stage around 8,800 civil servants are meant to be based at the 900,000 square foot venue.  But not everyone is delighted at the prospect of the hub appearing locally.  One response received by the council to the plans in 2024 said: 'The proposal represents extremely dull architecture and great big massive blank wall facing the 'new park'.' Another warned: 'The buildings are too tall for this site and would dominate.  'It is much taller than the retail park that was here before it and which should be the guide for any further development. There is also very real danger of overcrowding in this area of the city now.'  Last week Philip Grindell, a former detective who advised Parliament on security for MPs after the killing of Jo Cox, warned that a 'No10 North' would need to replicate the security arrangements in place for the real No10.  He told the Daily Mail: 'That would be very expensive - any premise would need to be suitable to prevent a variety of attack methods, from simple to sophisticated... 'We are talking tens of millions of pounds of costs every year. 'The other issue would be who takes primacy over the PM's protection, the Met or Greater Manchester Police? 'That is before you get to the logistical issues of Cobra meetings, secure communications and not being physically near the rest of Whitehall when you need to have urgent in depth discussions.' Mr Burnham has been judging mock-ups of his promised 'No10 North' on TikTok this week - but might not even be in power to see a site at work The PM already has use of the Chequers country estate in Buckinghamshire.  One weary Government insider predicted the plan will be a debacle 'like every other attempt' to move central Government out of London.  'Everyone spends the working week in Westminster,' they said. 'It will just mean more people dialling in and doing f*** all work.' A Cabinet minister warned yesterday that the drive to spread power across Britain must not just mean hiring more officials at taxpayers' expense. Darren Jones, the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, insisted it is essential the size of Whitehall departments shrinks significantly - suggesting that had not happened before. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. 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