Military town's £21m revamp to finish next year

A North Yorkshire town's new centre promising "long-awaited new facilities" is on track to be finished next year, a councillor has said.

Kevin Foster visited the site at Catterick Garrison to check on the progress of the £21m development project, which will see a new civic square for events and a community hub created.

The scheme is backed by £19m from the government's Levelling Up Fund and match-funding from the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and North Yorkshire Council.

"Local people wanted a central hub to make the area a better place to live, work and get around, while protecting and enhancing green spaces for everyone to enjoy," Foster explained.

"It's a project I'm really proud to be involved with."

He said the development had been shaped by consultation with local residents, with the aim of creating a focal point for the community.

It will include a community and enterprise building offering space for small businesses, local groups and food retail, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Major landscaping and park upgrades are also planned.

Coronation Park will see improved play spaces, a skate park and sensory areas, while new routes and cycleways aim to better connect the centre.

"It's fantastic to see that this scheme is on schedule to complete next year, so the community will soon benefit from these long-awaited new facilities," the councillor added.

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