PLANS for one of the biggest-ever military investments in the region will be announced today.

The Northern Echo can exclusively reveal that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) is to spend £1bn on major developments at Catterick Garrison, in North Yorkshire.

The cash will be spent over the next 15 years, turning what is already the British Army's biggest base into the country's first super-garrison.

Further details of how the money will be spent will emerge today at the launch of the Catterick Garrison Long-Term Development Programme.

But The Northern Echo can also reveal that the population of the base will increase by about 40 per cent.

It is currently home to about 18,500 people - a figure that includes dependants and non-military personnel.

But by the year 2020, the population is expected to have gradually grown to about 25,000.

Although it is already Europe's largest army base, Catterick is regarded by the MoD as a base with extra capacity and has, therefore, been designated as a priority to become a super-garrison.

Already some aspects of the expansion have been set in motion, with plans for new barracks and attempts to transform the camp centre area.

Top brass have also ordered an in-depth survey of traffic, so they can plan ahead and avoid congestion problems when the expansion begins.

A large retail park is also planned for Walkerville, although the MoD was among those that objected to that scheme.

The upgrade will place Catterick at the heart of the Army as the home to an infantry training centre responsible for turning thousands of raw recruits into soldiers and full-time armoured units. It will also give a massive boost to the local economy.

Last night, news of the billion-pound MoD investment was welcomed by district councillor Lyn Miller.

"I think it can only be good news for the whole area, and I don't have any problem with it at all," she said. "This area does deserve better facilities - both leisure facilities and shopping facilities - and I think the whole community will benefit from this sort of investment."

She added: "As long as the MoD and the garrison work with the community and the district council to ensure this is for the good of all, it has to be seen as a good thing."

The announcement comes a week after the MoD signalled the end of operations at nearby RAF Leeming, near Northallerton.

The ministry said the decision not to deploy the Joint Combat Aircraft (JCA) at the base meant the RAF had no long-term use for it.

Defence chiefs hope they can interest the Army in the base. Catterick's expansion must make the site even more attractive.