Consent gained for multi-million pound project to redevelop garrison town centre

The proposed redevelopment of Catterick Garrison’s town centre, in North Yorkshire, has secured planning approval.

It is aimed at bringing jobs and new facilities for local residents as well as military personnel. Catterick Garrison is home to one of the largest British Army bases in the country.

Permission to build a community and enterprise building and a multi-use events space as well as create a new public square was given by members of the Richmond (Yorks) Area Constituency Planning Committee.

Plans also include landscaping improvements, upgrades to Coronation Park and Shute Road, improved play spaces, accessible routes to the town centre and improvements to footpaths and cycleways.

Richmond (Yorks) Area Constituency Planning Committee chairman, Councillor David Webster, said: “This scheme will see significant improvements to the centre of Catterick Garrison as well as contribute to our work to reduce carbon emissions through the use of sustainable design and renewable energy.”

Redevelopment of the town centre, which covers four acres of land around Shute Road, will see North Yorkshire Council working with the Ministry of Defence (MOD).

The council has received £19m from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund, with the remaining match-funding coming from the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and the council.

The community building will house offices for small businesses and include space for community groups and food retail.

Improvements to the park will include new play areas for all ages from toddlers and woodland play areas to a skatepark for older users.

Member for the Colburn and Hipswell ward, Cllr Kevin Foster, said: “This scheme has taken a major step forward and means we can start to realise our ambition to complete by summer next year.

“The development is also in line with our priority of achieving net zero carbon emissions with its use of heat pumps and solar panels.

“It will bring new opportunities and facilities for the many people who live at Catterick Garrison – both civilians and members of the military.”