Planning officers have recommend that a major new business park at the Catterick A1(M) junctions is approved.
Eshton Group, in association with Castlevale Ltd, has submitted plans for a 52-acre business park at Junction 52.
The developers say the scheme would bring millions of pounds of investment and create hundreds of jobs.
It is claimed the plans would create an industrial hub at the junction, attracting businesses from across the UK.
A new roundabout would be built on the A6055 as part of the plans.
Officers at Richmondshire District Council will recommend the scheme is approved when councillors meet on January 4.
The recommendation comes despite concerns raised from a number of organisations.
Catterick Parish Council has questioned the need for more industrial buildings at the expense of agricultural land,.
It has also raised concerns about increased levels of congestion on the road network and an adverse impact on the tourist industry.
In its response Richmond Business and Tourism Association said the proposed development would “deter visitors to the area, who pass by on the main north/south arterial route” and that the existing industrial parks and proposed developments at Catterick and Scotch Corner will “create another industrial corridor, deterring these much needed visitors”.
Richmond and District Civic Society also raised concerns.
It said the plans included an assumption that there was a shortage of jobs in Richmondshire.
The group added: “Whilst good quality jobs are always welcome, the district has historically low unemployment
rates, some of the lowest in the country.”
The civic society said the proposed development alongside the application existing plans for new business units at Scotch Corner “would be creating a demand that simply could not be fulfilled by people living locally.
“The workforce would have to travel long distances to work at these sites,” the society added.
But a report to councillors concluded the plans were acceptable.
The report said: “In the overall planning balance, the adverse impacts identified within this committee report are considered to be outweighed by the positive aspects of the proposed development, most notably the economic benefits to be gained through the delivery of an employment development in a suitable location adjacent to the upgraded
Junction 52 of the A1 (M) motorway.
“The proposed development is therefore considered acceptable in this respect and, it is recommended that planning
permission be granted.”
For more information on the application, click here.
Comments are closed.
Is this in addition to the proposed Services for that junction?
The beauty of Richmond and Catterick area is that it is not an industrialised area other than a couple of low level industrial estates in the immediate area. This new proposed industrial estate will mean a build up of traffic north south on the A1 and will add to the congestion that is slowly building up due to the enlargement of Catterick Garrison. There is also planned a new service area at junction 52 which will also compact a larger amount of traffic problems. I can envisage within 6 months of all this being built that the area which was once unspoilt, congestion and a pleasure to be able to drive around will become like an offshoot suburb of the M25. Planners need to look at the lorry pollution, noise pollution, affect it will have on the beautiful unspoilt countryside, not to say anything about the effect it will have mentally on the local people trying to go about their daily tasks. I ask myself who is selling this land at a high profit? I suspect someone who doesn’t live in the area! This will sadly put people off from visiting Richmond because access will be difficult. Planners take a look at the amount of traffic that comes from Northallerton to Catterick via Scorton & Brompton, take a look at look at the amount of traffic from Catterick Garrison which goes onwards north and south. You are killing a peaceful way of life that people have chosen because of greed. We need to be self sufficienct in this country for food, keep the beautiful land for agricultural use. I suspect no amount of ranting or raving will stop any of this but I do hope you local planners when you are snarled up in the traffic when all this is built will realise what you have done. One accident on the A1 locally and you will get the picture. Personally I think a wind farm or solar panneling would be preferable to help us all. Not industrialised warehousing, lorries and all the attendant problems it will bring.