Catterick town centre £19m regeneration update issued

According to North Yorkshire councillors, work to transform Catterick town centre and the surrounding areas will proceed and be delivered in time for the deadline of early 2026. 

The project was awarded £19m from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities earlier this year, with planning permission for the regeneration gaining approval in May this year. 

Artist's impression view from Shute Road (Image: NORTH YORKSHIRE COUNCIL)

Catterick town centre £19m regeneration update issued:

At a North Yorkshire Council executive meeting on Tuesday (November 5), the outline of the project was set out, which included transforming Shute Road into 'an attractive, vibrant and inclusive town centre' via the creation of a new town square with a community facility, and a renovation of Coronation Park.

This project has been split into three sections, with phase one involving improving pedestrian crossings on the junction of Gough Road/A6136 Richmond Road and another on A6136 Richmond Road near Aldi, while enhancing key paths and cycleways through Coronation Park.

Phase two of the project includes creating a new town square, creating a new pedestrian link between Richmond Road and Shute Road, upgrading Coronation Park, and installing  Ground Source Heat Pumps under the town square.

Artist impression of the Coronation Park building (Image: NORTH YORKSHIRE COUNCIL) Meanwhile, the final phase will see the demolition of four buildings, which will be replaced by a new building divided into a 'community and enterprise facility', a glass pavilion, a shaded canopy, and additional car park spaces.

Despite the proposals for Catterick being set out, delays in the demolition work left questions about the project's future and timescale. 

However, North Yorkshire Council has insisted that, despite the delays, the project will be delivered within the timeframe, and clarified that it hopes demolition works, which started in October, will be complete next month and the project will begin in January 2025.

Public central area plan (Image: NORTH YORKSHIRE COUNCIL) In documents linked to the council's Executive meeting on Tuesday, the council said: "The project has experienced some delay due to issues associated with the discharge of conditions linked to the DIO’s demolition works however the project remains deliverable within the required timescales.

"Officers are however keen to ensure that the council is in a position to commence works in January 2025 to ensure the works completion date meets the funding deadline of March 2026."

Contractors Wilmott Dixon Construction Limited will undertake the project in Catterick after the council selected it in August this year.

Artist impression from an aerial view Catterick Garrison (Image: NORTH YORKSHIRE COUNCIL) The documents also revealed that while the total cost for the project hadn't been revealed, the council estimates the works will total around £14.9m, with a further £2m set aside for 'contingencies'.

During the Executive meeting on Tuesday, councillors expressed their delight that it was going ahead - and noted that it was a 'vital opportunity' to renovate Catterick. 

Councillor Mark Crane, executive member for Open to Business, acknowledged the delay in the project but said that the council would be taking the project on a 125-year lease. 

He added: "This project has strong support in Catterick and it's a chance to make the town more vibrant for the future of this growing location."

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Cllr Carl Les, Leader of the Council who covers the Catterick Village & Brompton-on-Swale division, called it a 'key opportunity' for Catterick to have a community facility like the one that will be delivered through the £19m scheme.

The progress of the project was also welcomed by Cllr Kevin Foster, who covers the Hipswell and Colburn division, who said: "It's great that it's finally happening. Many people believed it wouldn't be happening - but it's moving forward and feels real now. 

"We're lucky to have this funding and project in place for the area and I'm delighted to be a part of it."

Councillors at the Tuesday meeting unanimously agreed to enter into the construction contract for the Catterick Garrison Town Centre Regeneration Project.