Rolls-Royce Announces £300M Expansion at Goodwood Facility
Securing planning permission to expand the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood marked the culmination of an extensive consultation process with local community members, relevant authorities, agencies, and expert advisors. "I am thrilled that, in under a year, we have initiated the construction phase by installing the first foundation pads. This significant and thrilling development confirms we are on schedule to complete this landmark project, enhancing our future prosperity and making a substantial economic contribution to the region and UK PLC," stated Chris Brownridge, Chief Executive of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.
The construction phase of the new £300+ million landmark extension at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood has commenced. The first concrete foundation pads are next to the existing manufacturing facility and global headquarters.
The initial pads have been positioned on the northern side of the site, where the new Exterior Surface Centre (Paint Shop) will be located. Contractors are progressing southwards, establishing around 650 pads supporting this crucial building.
Goodwood is the exclusive site for designing and handcrafting Rolls-Royce motor cars worldwide. The company is deeply committed to this unique status and is highly considerate of the extension's impact on the picturesque West Sussex countryside near the South Downs National Park.
The original site, opened in 2003, was designed to harmonise with its environment. With its thoughtfully chosen materials and the UK's most extensive 'living roof', it remains virtually unseen outside its borders. The extension continues this tradition, having been carefully planned to complement the existing structure and landscape while incorporating modern advancements in architecture, aesthetics, and environmental practices.
Rolls-Royce obtained planning permission from Chichester District Council in March 2024 after extensive consultations with residents and key stakeholders. The project has advanced swiftly, with substantial groundwork and enhancements to local footpaths already underway. These will contribute to a projected 12% biodiversity net gain.
The 40,000-square-metre extension accommodates the new Surface Finish Centre and increases capacity for the marque's rapidly growing Bespoke division. This area achieved record levels in 2024, spurred by increasing client demands for complex and highly personalised commissions, culminating in Coachbuild projects. This growth stems directly from continuous investments in the global network of Private Offices, which extends from Goodwood to luxury centres in Dubai, Shanghai, New York, and Seoul.
The extension, which exceeds £300 million in investment, is the most substantial since the facility's inauguration in 2003. Since then, Rolls-Royce has emerged as a significant British manufacturing success, employing over 2,500 people on site and supporting an additional 7,500 jobs within its broader supply chain. According to a study by the London School of Economics, the company has contributed over £4 billion to the UK economy, with an annual contribution of more than £500 million.
