Consett Football club boss has change of heart over academy plans

Jul 31 2009 by Neil McKay, The Journal

A FOOTBALL club boss has withdrawn his support for controversial plans to build a 1,500 student academy on part of his ground.

The objection by John Hurst, chairman of Consett football club, is a further blow to Durham County Council, whose Cabinet are expected to approve plans today to build the new school at Belle Vue, on a site which is partly leased by the football club, despite widespread local opposition.

Mr Hurst, who lives opposite the proposed site in Villa Real Road, had earlier told The Journal he would welcome a new academy there as it would enable the club to redevelop its dilapidated stadium.

But explaining his apparent change of heart and his decision to join the objectors he said: “My understanding was that Durham County Council wanted to build a sports academy at Belle Vue.

“I would have loved that as it would have helped the football club to build new facilities.

“But I did not expect a school of 1,500 kids to be built there, across the road from my house.

“I am certainly opposed to that and I want to make that clear. I obviously want what is best for the football club but my family come first. The traffic problems would be horrendous if a school was built at Belle Vue.”