Marne Barracks marches on
Following approval of plans for additional accommodation blocks in December, Morgan Sindall has started infrastructure works for the Royal Engineers at the army base in Catterick.
The project is being delivered under the Defence Estate Optimisation programme, with the expansion planned ahead of the relocation of 21 Engineer Regiment from Claro Barracks in Ripon from 2027.
North Yorkshire Council approved plans for two accommodation blocks and a strength and conditioning centre at the facility, which constitutes phase four of the wider redevelopment of Catterick Garrison.
The development is on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, with the wider project team including Tetra Tech Planning, Morgan Sindall, and HLM Architects.
Located off Leeming Lane and around 1.5km from Catterick, the 163-acre site is a self-contained military facility with no direct public access.
The two accommodation blocks will each house 85 bedrooms and the intention is that the improved facilities will help the retention rate for the armed forces.
Plans also include garages, workshops, car parking, pedestrian and cycle paths, and soft landscaping, and a rugby pitch added in to appease an earlier objection from Sport England.
Other plans going ahead from the MoD at Catterick Garrison include its first-ever joint healthcare facility with the NHS, which is being constructed by Tilbury Douglas and is on track to complete by next summer.
Meanwhile, the village itself is undergoing a £19m revamp, paid for by Levelling Up funds and with Willmott Dixon appointed as main contractor last August.
Simon Arnott, Morgan Sindall’s managing director – North, said: “Morgan Sindall has always been steadfast in its support for the armed forces, those currently serving and those who have served to protect our country. As an Armed Forces Covenant signatory, we are proud to use our expertise to deliver facilities that meet the highest standards for 21 Engineer Regiment.”
