Catterick's new £21 million town centre development has taken a major step forward with demolition of existing buildings on the site now under way.
North Yorkshire Council leader, Councillor Carl Les, joined James Roy of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and Catterick Garrison Commander Lt Col Charlie Anderson RA to see progress at Shute Road.
Preparatory work, including asbestos removal and the stripping out of internal fixtures such as wiring, is nearly complete. Demolition specialists are taking down the buildings where the internal work has concluded to make way for construction work on the new facilities to start early in the new year.
Once complete, the development will include a new community building, a multi-use events space and a new public square. Alongside this, the project will improve landscaping, pavements and cycle paths, as well as upgrading Coronation Park and improved play areas.
The new town centre buildings will benefit both service personnel and their families and the general public. North Yorkshire Council and DIO are working together to make the project work for everyone in the area. DIO is funding the demolition and North Yorkshire Council secured central government funding for the redevelopment.
James Roy, Project Lead for DIO, said:
It's great to see this project taking such a tangible step forward. We hope to have completed the demolition in the coming weeks and look forward to handing the site over to the council ready for them to start building these fantastic new facilities for everyone in Catterick to enjoy.
North Yorkshire Council leader, Cllr Carl Les, said:
Demolition work paves the way for us to start work on this exciting project for Catterick which will provide great new facilities for the town and bring with it new jobs for local people.
Lt Col Charlie Anderson RA, Commander Catterick Garrison, said:
The demolition works at Shute Road are a significant milestone in the regeneration of the town centre. Catterick is home to the largest army bases in the country and these new community facilities will improve the lives of military personnel and families stationed here, as well as benefitting local residents.
The redevelopment of the town centre, which covers four acres of land around Shute Road, sees the council receiving £19 million from the government, with the remaining match-funding coming from the Defence Infrastructure Organisation and the authority itself.
