A PHOENIX will rise from the ashes in Colburn in the coming year when work starts on converting the old Army barracks into a business park.

Regional development agency Yorkshire Forward bought the site earlier this year, hoping the land could be used to create as many as 350 jobs.

Since then, contractors have been asked to tender for the design and construction of roads on to the site, footpaths and cycle ways, and the installation of power and water.

Once the infrastructure is in place, individual plots will be marketed on the 25-acre site - and there have already been a number of inquiries, particularly about plots which front on to Catterick Road.

The land was initially earmarked for business use, for storage and for distribution. However, planning permission has already been granted for a car showroom and a hotel.

Yorkshire Forward has also said that it would be interested in bids from information technology companies, or from communications firms looking to locate call centres in the area.

The Richmond Partnership is managing Catterick Garrison's bid for Government grants to improve the quality of life of local people.

Partnership spokesman Ken Wilson said: "It is pleasing to hear of the early interest that businesses have expressed in the new business park. The Colburn Business Park remains a crucial part of the overall programme to regenerate the Catterick Garrison area.

"The new Learning Centre has provided the training and educational element, the community sports centre will offer substantial leisure and recreational choices, and the business park will offer much-needed, good-quality employment opportunities.''

Yorkshire Forward's Andrew Wallhead said: "The completed park will offer the area an excellent opportunity to attract quality companies, and the links between the site and the various Single Regeneration Bid initiatives should ensure that local communities benefit."

As well as Yorkshire Forward, both Richmondshire District Council and North Yorkshire County Council have contributed to the project.

The Catterick Garrison project also ties in a with similar initiative in Richmond, which recently began a hunt for board members to lead the town's bid for regeneration grants