THE Army’s plan to expand Catterick Garrison should be harnessed to deliver major economic and social benefits to the town and surrounding area, a committee has heard.

While a Government decision on the scale and timing of its Army 2020 Refine scheme for the town is expected next month, councillors are calling for attention to be given to the needs of civilian residents.

Catterick Garrison councillor Helen Grant told North Yorkshire County Council’s Richmond constituency committee schemes such as building a road from Brough St Giles to bypass the congested A6136 through Catterick Garrison and Colburn would be “more than welcome”.

The meeting heard the military was being urged to source goods such as food from local suppliers and work was needed to target the type of retailers that residents wanted.

Neil Irving, the authority’s policy director, said while some options to cater for the influx of personnel and their families was being worked on, uncertainty over numbers of military personnel, the military units involved and when they would arrive was preventing detailed planning for schools and roads.

Catterick Bridge councillor Carl Les warned a delayed Government decision could “squash the programme”.

He said: “By 2035 Catterick Garrison will be the third largest town in North Yorkshire, after Harrogate and Scarborough. We will rise to meet that challenge. If we don’t its not fair on local people that the roads and schools aren’t there and the health provision is not as good as it should be and social care is missing.”