Defence Estate Optimisation (DEO) plans to relocate 21 Engineer Regiment to Catterick have moved one step closer following council approval for 1,300 houses to be built in Ripon.
As announced in 2016, Ripon barracks – the collective name given to Claro Barracks, Deverell Barracks and Laver Banks – are being sold when they become surplus to military requirements.
Having already relocated the Joint Services Mountain Training Wing of the Army Adventurous Training Group from Deverell Barracks into their new purpose-built home in Halton, MOD has been working with Homes England and the Local Authority to see these sites released for meaningful future use.
Plans include 1,300 new homes, 40 hectares of publicly accessible open space, a primary school, two hectares of employment, community and NHS facilities plus a package of on and off-site improvements.
This is the result of a ‘group’ effort, as part of the DEO programme supported by subject matter expert colleagues across the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO).
The plans were approved by Harrogate Borough Council meaning Homes England can now progress with the development of the 86.55 hectare site.
Of the recent approval, DIO Estates town planner Stephen Harness said: “We very much welcome the decision made by Harrogate Borough Council. Teams from DIO and Homes England have been liaising with the Council and have undertaken considerable consultation in bringing forward these proposals.
“We look forward to continuing to develop these proposals which will deliver real benefits to the City of Ripon.”
As part of this process, and under current plans, 21 Engineer Regiment will move from Claro Barracks into a mixture of refurbished and modern purpose-built buildings at Marne Barracks, Catterick.
Catterick Garrison, the largest British Army Garrison in the world, will receive significant investment under the DEO Army Programme which will deliver across all areas of living and technical infrastructure as part of their investment in a better-structured, modern and more sustainable estate.
