Have your say on Consett academy (From The Northern Echo)

Have your say on Consett academy

1:00pm Monday 30th November 2009

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PLANS for a controversial academy in a former steel town are to be unveiled next week.

Parents of schoolchildren in Consett will get their first look at what the town’s new super school could be like.

The new structure is to be built at Consett’s Belle Vue site despite opposition from people who like to see it created on the former steelworks site.

The new academy in Consett will replace Consett Community Sports College and Moorside Community Technology College.

The outline plans also show where new leisure facilities worth £14m could be positioned alongside the academy at the Belle Vue site.

The developments are part of a multi million pound council regeneration masterplan for Consett, which aims to bring new investment, education and employment opportunities to the town.

Councillor Neil Foster, cabinet member for economic regeneration at Durham County Council, said: "The development of new state-of-the-art educational facilities in Consett is a key element of the wider regeneration plans for the town.

"The unveiling of the proposed plans and designs for the new academy will be the first opportunity for local people to see the type and standard of facility that we aim to bring to Consett."

The project will be sponsored by the Durham University-led consortium DEEP (Durham Excellence in Education Partnership) and Durham County Council.

Coun Foster added: "It’s essential as we develop the academy and the wider plans for the town that we have the views of local people.

"I would encourage people in Consett to take the opportunity to get involved in the consultation and tell us what they think."

Proposed plans and designs for the academy will be on display at an exhibition being held at Consett Community Sports College on Monday (Dec 7) between 4pm and 8pm.

People should use the Community Association entrance to the school.

Letters are being sent to parents, carers and nearby residents to invite them to call in to the exhibition to see the proposals and give their opinions.

Representatives from the council’s Building Schools for the Future team will be on hand to answer any questions and take people’s comments.

The proposals will also be on show at Consett Library from Monday, December 7 until Monday, December 14.

People will be able to call in to the library to view the plans and leave their comments. Comments can also be sent by email to bsf@durham.gov.uk

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