DEMOLITION of a former secondary school is underway.

The site of the former Consett Community Sports College on Durham Road in Blackhill is being cleared to make way for housing.

The school, also formerly called Blackfyne Comprehensive School, closed last July and pupils of the newly formed Consett Academy moved to the multi-million pound new building at the Belle Vue site in the town centre.

The school merged with Moorside Community Technology College to form the new academy.

Stuart Timmiss, Durham County Council’s head of planning and assets, said: “We are looking to start the demolition of Moorside Community Technology College later in the year.

“We will preserve playing fields for sport and public use with the rest of the site being brought forward for housing development.

“The receipts from the land have already been included in the £43million development of the new school, swimming pool and leisure facilities and follows consultation with residents and partners.”