Warehouse plan for business park is welcomed

PLANS TO develop a business park with a sprawling warehouse have been heralded by members of a council, more than two decades after proposals were backed to replace derelict Army barracks on the site.

A virtual meeting of Richmondshire District Council’s planning committee heard the proposed building at Colburn Business Park would provide a boost to the economy and create 13 jobs in one of North Yorkshire’s most deprived areas.

Plans for the employment land on 23 acres off Catterick Road received the support of the authority in 1998, amid hopes up to 300 jobs would be created.

However, despite a number of firms locating at what has been described as a “thriving” business park, significant spaces across the site have remained vacant, leading to housing developers unveiling proposals in 2017 to build scores of homes.

At the time, the council responded to the housing proposals and said it was “extremely worrying as the original concept of the park was that local people would be employed”.

A council spokesman added: “Any potential loss of jobs is concerning for local residents and totally unacceptable.”

Following fears the building of houses would encourage businesses to find alternative locations outside Richmondshire, plans were approved the following year to build six commercial units at the site.

However, since the upgrading of the A1, new enterprises have shown interest in the park and current businesses are considering expanded their operations.

Approving the warehouse proposals, councillors agreed the scheme was long overdue and more developments were needed on the estate.