A PUBLIC park celebrating Consett’s industrial heritage has opened on the town’s former steelworks site.

Huge metal artwork depicting scenes from images of the original foundry, which closed in 1980, are on display in the £1m Fawcett Park, off Genesis Way.

The Genesis Circle, with a diameter of 18 metres is made up of a series of interlocking panels, each weighing a ton and made from corten and mild steel, was designed by Cumbria-based artist Chris Brammall.

An original iron hook, found and rescued during clearance work on the site, that was used to transport molten steel now forms the centrepiece of another imposing artwork at the entrance.

The Fawcett Park name recognises the key role played by development entrepreneurs Jack and Caroline Fawcett, who teamed up with the then Derwentside District Council to mastermind a regeneration programme that was launched as Project Genesis in 1994.

Lord Devonport, chairman of the Project Genesis Trust, who cut the ribbon to open the park, said: “This is an entirely different world to what it was 40 years ago and to see houses and a park on what was a poisoned site is like a new spring for people in Consett.”

The facility, covering a two hectare area, near the new Tesco store, features play areas, shrubs and wildflower areas as well as hosting a section of the C2C cycle way and providing access to the Derwent Walk.

Over 200 people, representing business, local government and community groups, attended the opening ceremony.

Durham county councillor Alex Watson, former leader of Derwentside District Council, who is also part of Project Genesis, said: “This was the impossible dream when Consett Iron Company closed.

“It was a contaminated site so to have green fields here now is quite magnificent. I am very chuffed.”

Project Genesis and Dysart Developments, which carried out the work, used the occasion to make a series of surprise award grants for local organisations and schools.

Funding of £7,000 was given to 1st Consett Scouts for the £220,000 hut it is building along with the Blackhill group in the town centre.

Keith Slater, Group Scout Leader of 1st Consett Scouts, said: “We were not told why we were invited along but it is absolutely great.”