Sports village delay angers councillors
Aug 21 2008 by Neil Mckay, The Journal
A LONG-AWAITED sports complex on the site of a former steelworks could be scuppered – by councillors whose own constituents would benefit the most.
For 28 years since Consett steelworks closed, people in the area have been waiting for a promised sports village.
But it is feared the £15m plans could be scuppered by Durham County councillors despite having been passed unanimously by all-party members of Derwentside District Council.
Under local government reorganisation, the district council will be abolished next April and plans for the complex will ultimately depend on approval by the new unitary council.
However, to be able to start drawing up plans now and minimise the impact of inflation, Derwentside says it needs an early indication of support from existing county councillors. But Coun Michele Hodgson, Durham County Council cabinet member for corporate resources, who lives in Annfield Plain, near Consett, said: “In looking for an immediate expression of support from this council, Derwentside is asking us to accept their complex financial arrangements and business plan at face value. We would be failing in our duty to council taxpayers throughout the county if we did not examine the figures in more detail before coming to a view.”
And deputy county council leader Clive Robson, who lives in Consett, added: “The original concept of a much bigger and more expensive ‘sporting village’ did capture the imagination of the leisure fraternity both in and outside Consett, and while this alternative £15m plan to replace the existing facilities has to be welcomed and the money safeguarded, the devil, of course, is in the detail.”
Derwentside District Council leader Alex Watson said: “I’m disappointed but not surprised by county council’s move.”
Click the links below for previous stories about the sports centre
Sport plan may be scratched in row over £16m
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