A £21 million scheme to redevelop a town centre serving one of the Army’s largest military garrisons as well as thousands of nearby residents will be ‘transformative’.
Work on the scheme for Catterick town centre and surrounding land got underway earlier this month.
In 2022, the former Richmondshire District Council, North Yorkshire County Council and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) submitted a bid to the government.
A total of £19m was later awarded through the levelling up fund, with the remaining match-funding coming from the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and ourselves.
Now, after extensive preparatory works carried out by the DIO, the scheme is starting to take shape.
Dignitaries, including the council leader, Cllr Carl Les, the council’s executive member for open to business, Cllr Mark Crane and former Catterick Garrison Commander, Colonel (retired) Nick Millen OBE, gathered at the location on Shute Road this week to witness the early progress.
Cllr Les, who is one of three members whose divisions cover Catterick Garrison, said: “I am delighted that this scheme is now underway. This will be a transformative development which will not only provide new facilities for the town, but create jobs for local people.
“It is a fine example of partnership working and will help improve the lives of a great many people in the area, both those serving in the military and their families and also residents of Catterick and the surrounding area.”
Cllr Crane said the scheme would bring economic benefits, with an improved town centre encouraging both residents and visitors to spend more money locally and the new Community and Enterprise building interesting would-be investors.
He said: “This is an exciting development which will deliver an attractive, vibrant and inclusive town centre. It will not only bring fresh investment and provide employment but will also create a stronger local identity and help to reinforce ties between service personnel and residents.”
The construction will be carried out by Willmott Dixon, with the work expected to be completed by the winter of 2026.
Align Property Partners, the council-owned property consultancy, has been involved in the project’s design with support from Barton Howe Associates as landscape architects.
At the heart of the redevelopment is the construction of a new town square and mini plaza and a community and enterprise building which will house offices for small businesses as well as space for community groups and food retail.
The scheme will also feature landscaping improvements and upgrades to Coronation Park to include improved play spaces, a skate park and sensory and reflective spaces. Accessible routes to the town centre will also be created alongside improvements to existing footpaths and cycleways.
The civic square will be used for local events and community-based activities, including markets, festivals, music events and shows.
The Commander of Catterick Garrison, Lieutenant Colonel Charles Anderson RA, said: “Catterick is home to one of the largest Army bases in the country and it is fantastic to see construction getting underway to transform this area of the town centre.
“The investment will bring new facilities and opportunities to benefit Armed Forces personnel, their families and veterans, alongside the civilian community.”
Former Garrison Commander, Col (Ret’d) Millen OBE, was involved in the scheme’s inception, having been in charge between 2005 and 2013.
He said: “It is lovely to see it come together. I think the really important thing about it is what it means to the community.
“Whatever we can do to reinforce the military presence here as part of the wider community is to be welcomed. It will bring everyone together so we can be as one.”
Member for Hipswell and Colburn and the authority’s Armed Forces champion, Cllr Kevin Foster, also attended the site visit as well as representatives from Willmott Dixon, Align Property Partners, Hipswell Parish Council and the DIO.
They were joined by members of the council’s culture and archives team, who have worked closely with Hazel Oakes, Katayoun Dowlatshahi and Steven Anwar, artists who were commissioned to create a range of works as part of the regeneration scheme.
Cllr Foster said the development would provide a focus for the community.
“This area has never really had an identity. Having a fantastic community building will ensure a central focus where people can meet,” he said. “This scheme has been made possible with government and council money, but it will only prove to be a success if the local community take it on and embrace it, which I am confident they will.”
Willmott Dixon’s director in the North-East, Nick Corrigan, said the company was committed to investing in local communities.
“We'll be working closely with local suppliers throughout the construction phase, ensuring that as much as possible of the investment stays within the local economy, creating jobs and supporting regional businesses,” he said.
“The new town square and Community and Enterprise building will create a vibrant heart for Catterick, bringing together military families and local residents in spaces designed for community events, local businesses, and social connection.
“This development will create a lasting legacy that serves the community for generations to come.”
MP for Richmond and Northallerton, Rishi Sunak, said he had been proud to help establish the Levelling Up Fund which enabled the scheme to move ahead.
He said: “The development will bring a new civic focus to Catterick Garrison which I am sure will be welcomed by the residents – both military and civilian – of the garrison and nearby Colburn.
"We will have a town centre which will help bring the garrison’s community together and encourage a greater sense of pride.”