Work on a multi-million pound redevelopment scheme has reached a major milestone in a project that is set to “transform” a North Yorkshire town centre.
Visitors to Catterick Garrison have witnessed the progress of work since the project got underway in July and the first steel structure has now been put in place.
The construction is part of a £21 million redevelopment of the town, which is home to thousands of residents as well as about 14,000 Ministry of Defence personnel and their families.
The scheme aims to provide more community facilities and space, improve pedestrian access, deliver extra retail and commercial premises and drive further investment into the area.
In 2022, council officials and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) submitted a bid to the Government.
A total of £19 million was later awarded through the Levelling Up Fund, with the remaining match-funding coming from the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and ourselves.
The construction is being undertaken by Willmott Dixon, with the work expected to be completed by the winter of 2026.
At the centre of the scheme is the construction of a new town square on Shute Road and a Community and Enterprise building which will house offices for small businesses as well as space for community groups and food retail.
The steel frame for the main building has been erected and the lift shaft and staircases put in place.
The project also includes extensive landscaping improvements and upgrades to Coronation Park featuring improved play spaces, a skate park, and sensory and reflective areas. New accessible routes to the town centre will be created alongside improvements to existing footpaths and cycleways.
Executive member for open to business, Cllr Mark Crane said: “When we visited the site in July it was perhaps difficult to imagine the end result of this scheme as it was purely designs on a computer or site plan.
“But since then, work has progressed at pace, to the point now where it is really beginning to take shape and you can get a real feel for what it will become.
“The people of Catterick are very proud of where they live and of the history, both military and civilian, that is woven through it and I think they will be delighted with the opportunities this scheme will bring to the area as it transforms the town centre.”
Work on the nearby event space is set to start this week with completion of that building anticipated by Christmas.
Nick Corrigan, director at Willmott Dixon, said: “We recognise how significant this development is for the military community, and we feel privileged to be delivering these new facilities for the thousands of proud local residents.
“Our priority remains putting opportunities for the local community at the heart of this project. We continue to work closely with local suppliers to ensure as much of this investment as possible strengthens the local economy, creates jobs, and bolsters regional businesses.”
James Roy, project lead for Defence Infrastructure Organisation, said: “After we completed the demolition earlier this year, it’s fantastic to see the development continue.
“The erection of the first steel frame is a visual reminder of what will be provided by this project and how it will benefit the people of Catterick.”