MEMBERS of a Ministry of Defence programme which delivers accommodation for the Army has unveiled new barracks benefitting from a £70m investment.

The MoD’s Army Basing Programme (ABP) team have given the leader and deputy leader of Richmondshire District Council a tour of Bourlon and Marne Barracks in Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, where more than £70M has been invested recently to improve working and single living accommodation for the soldiers based there.

Robin Hartley, the ABP’s delivery lead in the north, hosted a visit by Cllr Yvonne Peacock and Cllr Ian Threlfall, to showcase new and refurbished infrastructure at the sites.

At Bourlon Barracks, a Grade II listed Sandhurst Block that had stood empty for eight years has been transformed to provide modern office accommodation, new storage facilities and working accommodation.

At Marne Barracks, the guests were shown new single living accommodation where more than 100 new bed spaces have been provided, a new gymnasium and games area, a new mess for Senior Non-Commissioned Officers, new office buildings and working accommodation.

Mr Hartley said: “We’re delighted with the facilities that we have provided at Bourlon and Marne Barracks, which will ensure that the required infrastructure is available to our troops.

“Spending £70M at these two sites represents a positive investment that MoD is making in Catterick Garrison and is a sustainable legacy of the ABP. We’re working closely with North Yorkshire County Council, Richmondshire District Council, the Local Enterprise Partnership, other government departments, local service providers and NHS England to ensure infrastructure, housing, education and health provision is in place for our troops and their families.”

Cllr Peacock said: “Catterick Garrison is an important part of the Richmondshire community with a large and often changing population which we must make provision for together with the needs of the civilian community."

Clr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council, said: “We welcome the development of Catterick Garrison as a super garrison and the benefits this brings to North Yorkshire."