Google wins planning approval for giant British headquarters building

London planning officials say they've given final approval for Google's 1-million-square-foot British headquarters, one of the Internet giant's largest offices. Google submitted plans to Camden Council in June for a building that will include a swimming pool, running track and climbing wall for its 5,000 workers in London. The headquarters, expected to be completed in late 2016, will sit on a 2.6-acre site in London's Kings Cross area purchased for $1.01 billion, The Daily Telegraph reported Thursday. When completed it will be one of Google's largest offices outside its corporate headquarters in Mountain View, Calif. Google, which has traditionally leased its overseas offices, has now bought sites in Paris, Dublin and London. "Building our new headquarters in King's Cross is good for Google and good for London," Google's United Kingdom General Manager Dan Cobley said. "We're committed to the United Kingdom and to playing a role in the regeneration of this historic area." The King's Cross Central development site sits on a former fish, coal and grain goods yard to the north of the city, and the 67-acre redevelopment area will eventually contain offices, shops and homes, the Telegraph said.