1. Demographics for the Garrison Area
The table below presents population figures for the Garrison area. The total population is 14,270. Colburn parish has a population of approximately 4640 (mid-2007).
The proportion of the population who are of working age (16-60 for men; 16-59 for women) in the Garrison area is 69.9%, suggesting that there is a reasonable potential labour pool here. Darlington College has a campus at Catterick, providing education and training in the community, as well as meeting the learning and skill needs of local businesses.
| Population (mid 2006) | Garrison |
| Total | 14,270 |
| Under age of 16 | 23.5% |
| Working age | 69.9% |
| Over working age | 6.7% |
|
Unemployment
(JSA claimants as % of working age population) |
0.81% |
2. Transport Infrastructure
Colburn Business Park is easily accessible by various transport links and, as such, offers an attractive location for business. Colburn Business Park is located in Catterick, close to Richmond, and is just four miles from the A1.
In the next three years, the A1 is due to be upgraded between Dishforth and Barton to a three-lane motorway. New junctions are planned at Baldersby, Leeming and Catterick with improvements to the existing junctions planned at Scotch Corner and Barton. This will significantly open up the Garrison and Colburn area and offers a great potential to expand business opportunities.
Colburn Business Park is 11 miles from Northallerton train station, with local links, and 16 miles from Darlington train station, where the East Coast mainline link, providing links to London and Edinburgh, can be accessed.
Durham Tees Valley airport is approximately 20 miles away.
3. The Community
The local ward councilor notes that "Colburn is probably one of the most diverse communities in Richmondshire. It not only includes the highest number of council properties but also an increasing number of private estates which contain some prestigious modern developments. The community is made up of a core of local families which have stretched out into the wider area; very many ex-military families who decided to settle in the area some 20 years ago and who now consider themselves local, and, an increasing number of people who choose to live in an area close to the A1, National Parks and the cities of Newcastle and Leeds."
"People who move to Colburn integrate very quickly - it doesn't take very long before your face is recognised and you are greeted as if you had lived there forever - wherever you came from or whoever you are". "There is a tradition of joining in, supporting your neighbour and wanting to see improvements". "Colburn School enjoys the support of the community. It is a warm, inviting place where children flourish in many ways, not just academically but socially forming long friendships which endure into adulthood".
4. Housing
The Housing Market Assessment (2008 refresh) reported on former Parish Forum Areas. The Garrison area is included within the Richmond Central area. This area has some of the cheapest house prices in the District with the highest proportion of entry level property. The lowest property values are in Colburn and Hipswell.
2007 house prices:
| Range | Richmond Central | District |
| Mean | 170,007 | 218,272 |
| Median | 146,000 | 187,500 |
| Lower Quartile | 118,700 | 138,000 |
5. Future Investment in the Area
Colburn Business Park is located close to Catterick Garrison, the UK’s largest army base (with a population of approximately 12,000, including dependents). The Garrison has been identified as a high priority for development as a ‘super garrison’, which could lead to further increases in population and investment. Within this, it seeks to provide community, commercial and recreational facilities in a new town centre, sports and leisure centre and community centre.
