£25m town centre plan ‘will create 700 jobs’

The proposed scheme at the former sports ground on Gough Road, currently owned by the Ministry of Defence, will include several major retail units and a five-screen cinema.

It will also offer space for new restaurants, cafes and bars alongside a 60-bed hotel with 400 car parking spaces.

Richmondshire District Council is seeking views on the £25m scheme close to Catterick Garrison Leisure Centre as part of the planning process.

Views will be used to guide councillors when they make a decision on whether to grant planning permission to the scheme when they meet next month.

A spokeswoman for the council said: “The proposal includes retail units, food and leisure space, a 60-bedroom hotel and a five-screen cinema. Developers Lingfield (Catterick) Ltd say the proposals will create around 700 new jobs as well as additional jobs in local service companies and supply firms.

“It will also include parking for 400 vehicles, disabled and cycle access, and improved pedestrian links to the surrounding area.

“If approved it will be ready for business by Easter 2015.”

The development is a joint venture between Kier Property and Lingfield Securities.

A public consultation event was recently carried out to give the public an opportunity to find out about the proposals.

Jonathan Hart, chief executive at Lingfield Securities, said: “These plans represent an important milestone in Catterick Garrison’s history and we have taken great care to engage with local people and respect the special heritage of the town.

“If it gets consent, it will create hundreds of jobs in the area and attract further inward investment into the town and the surrounding area.”

Tom Gilman, director at Kier Property, said: “The proposed retail and leisure development of Catterick Garrison will breathe new life into the town centre and the public consultation was an overwhelming success, with the majority of residents telling
us they were happy about our vision.

“If all goes to plan, this will greatly modernise and expand facilities in the town centre for the benefit of local residents.”

If councillors give the proposals the go-ahead it is hoped the proposed development will act as the catalyst for the further redevelopment of the area.

In the past some local traders had raised fears that large-scale developments in the area were hitting their trade and diverting people away from spending at local independent shops.

Catterick Garrison, in addition to military and civilian housing areas, comprises several separate barracks around which a town has developed.

The garrison is home to both 4 Mechanised Brigade and the Infantry Training Centre where all infantry soldiers receive their basic and advanced training.

Plans for the scheme can be viewed at the council’s community Office in Dundas Street in Richmond, or online through the Planning Public Access area of richmondshire.gov.uk using application reference 13/00353/FULL.

Views should be with the council by July 12 – they can be submitted online through the Planning Public Access facility on the council’s website, or by post to the Planning and Development Manager, Swale House, Frenchgate, Richmond, DL10 4JE.