Durham education chiefs extend academy consultation

Jul 2 2009 by Neil McKay, The Journal

UNDER-fire education bosses have agreed to extend consultation on the site of two proposed academies for a further two weeks.

Durham County Council’s education authority was criticised by parents, locals and politicians over its decision to end the consultation over the thorny issue of sites for academies at Belmont in Durham and Consett on Friday.

Coun Claire Vasey, cabinet member for children and young people’s services at Durham County Council, said: “After listening to representations from individuals and groups, we have extended the length of the consultation in order to give as many people as possible to chance to respond.

“Choosing a site for the academies will be a huge decision and therefore it is vitally important that people have had adequate opportunity to give their views.”

In Durham City the two possible sites are the Belmont School Community Arts College detached playing field and land on Sunderland Road, opposite Durham City Retail Park; and the existing site of Belmont School Community Arts College, including its detached playing field.

Two possible sites have been identified in Consett. They are the Belle Vue site, next to the leisure centre, between Villa Real Road and Ashdale Road; and Crookhall site, between the Consett by-pass and Gloucester Road, Delves Lane.

In Consett prominent local politicians, including former Derwentside district council leader Alex Watson and Liberal Democrat county councillor Owen Temple, have expressed amazement that education bosses overlooked the former steelworks site, known as Genesis, at Berry Edge.