Rolls-Royce has gained outline planning for a major expansion of its works in Raynesway, Derby to fulfil a raft of major submarine contracts.

The firm is planning to add around 1.1m sq ft of space demolishing several existing buildings at its site to make way for larger sheds and factory space.

Rolls-Royce Submarins is also advanced with detailed plans for 5-storey office block known as the South Wind at the site, being advanced as a separate planning application from the major programme of works to increase manufacturing, office and storage floorspace with around 14 building projects.

Masterplan drawn up by consultant Aecom includes associated development such as access roads, surface water attenuation within the site.

Raynesway Masterplan

New buildings will primarily be constructed on the existing car parks and hardstanding requiring a new 887-space multi-storey car park that would be created over the Midland Mainline in St Modwen Park.

The expansion is being driven by orders for the UK’s new Dreadnought class of nuclear submarines and an order from Australia for a fleet of submarines being delivered by the UK and UK.

The whole expansion project will be complete in a decade.