Probe call delaying Consett's new sport complex

Jan 12 2009 by Paul James, The Journal

A LONG-AWAITED s15m sports complex faces further delays after consultants called for a probe into the relationship between council bosses and a charity set up to oversee the project.

The delay means people living in Consett, County Durham, who were promised new sports facilities when the towns steel works closed 28 years ago, face an even longer wait.

The wrangle centres on the takeover of the project by Durham County Council from the smaller local authority, Derwentside District, which will cease to exist in April.

Before going ahead with the plan for a wet and dry complex on the towns Berry Edge, Durham County Council commissioned a firm of consultants to look into the scheme last August even though it had been passed by Derwentside councillors.

The county council cabinet described the hiring of consultants as a final belt and braces study to enable them to make a final decision about the proposed development. The consultants report published last week recommended an investigation as a matter of urgency into the relationship between Project Genesis, a charity set up to regenerate Consett, and Derwentside District Council.

Derwentsides leader Alex Watson, deputy leader Michael Malone and chief executive Mike Clark are all trustees of Project Genesis.

Coun Watson urged the county to avoid any further delays in building the sports complex, which would include a 25 metre swimming pool, a smaller learner pool and two sports halls.

The longer this project is delayed the costlier it will become, and the people of Derwentside are losing out.

Project Genesis is a public/private partnership agreement which I believe is second to none in the country, added Coun Watson.

But Clive Robson, Deputy Leader of Durham County Council, said that while he was more than hopeful that new leisure facilities would be delivered in Consett in some shape or form said: As the new unitary council will be ultimately responsible for the project, it is right that we look very closely at the detail of what is involved before committing ourselves.

We certainly do not accept any suggestion that we are delaying progress.

The consultants report contains some encouraging findings, but it also highlights a number of other very complex issues which need further examination before we are able to make a final decision.