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Designing a Steel Statue for Consett

On Tuesday 28th January, we hosted a fundraiser and design session to generate some ideas about what the community want the statue to look like. We were very lucky to have renowned artist Ray Lonsdale with us, who gave a fabulous and engaging talk about his artistic journey and past designs. He also answered all of our questions about his statues and how we should go about creating our own for Consett.  As part of the event, we asked everyone to share their ideas.  Please take a l...

Burning waste is not the way to move the UK towards a circular economy

Half of England’s waste is now being burned, at astronomical expense to local councils (“Anger at plans for 41 ‘dirty’ incinerators”, News). Yet Defra has, for years, resisted calls for the standardisation of waste materials collected or the separate collection of dry recyclables and organics, but it is now to implement such measures through its “simpler recycling” schemes in March 2025.Read more...

Consett Area- Housing Needs Assessment- DRAFT Consultation

As part of the process of developing the Consett Area Neighbourhood Plan, we have received funding to conduct a Housing Needs Assessment for the area. Please read the draft document and send us any feedback. Or, if you would like to meet us in person, we have arranged a series of consultation events where you can discuss the plans with us in person!...

Business Roundtable Event - Time to put the North East on the Business Map

As a long-standing member of Do Business Network (DBN),  Christine Thomas was delighted to be asked to attend the business roundtable discussion with Liz Twist MP for Blaydon and Consett, and Gareth Thomas MP, Minister in the Department for Business and Trade on Monday 9th December at Derwentside College.Read more...

North East Mayor’s Local Transport Plan Consultation Closes Sunday 26th January 2025

Kim McGuiness, North East Mayor, has officially opened the consultation on the Local Transport Plan, and is keen to hear from as many voices as possible from across our region. You can complete the following online survey North East Transport Plan Consultation Survey or find other ways to get involved by checking out the North East Combined Authority (NECA) website. ...

Royal British Legion's longest serving poppy-seller celebrates 80 years in the role

Events have been taking place to mark Armistice Day across the North East and the Royal British Legion's fundraisers have been out and about collecting donations to support our Armed Forces.In County Durham, Vera Parnaby has been a committed collector for the charity for eight decades, making her the longest serving poppy-seller.Read more...

Flies, rats and offers of hush money - the price of living next to a ‘monster’ incinerator

“We have been inundated with flies, rats, smell, noise. It's just been horrendous,” says Mandy Royle, who lives in the closest home to the UK’s biggest waste incinerator at Runcorn in Cheshire.Read more...

£1m funding boost for North East communities to tackle health inequality

North East communities are to get £1m in health funding as part of a new "trailblazer" cash pot set up by a leading financial services firm and the University College London Institute for Health Equity.Read more...

Homes at former steelworks site refused by council

Plans to build 71 homes at a former steelworks site have been rejected by the local authority.Project Genesis Ltd had applied to Durham County Council to build the housing estate on land previously used by Consett Steelworks.Read more...

Consett Area Youth Consultation

Tell us how you would like the Consett Area to look by 2036. What can we all do to improve on what we already have? What ideas do you have to ensure the continued and positive growth of the Consett Area?  Read more...

Iron Men of Consett

Building Self- Belief are currently delivering and Employability Programme at Consett Academy. As part of the sessions, we discuss the importance of volunteering and how impressive this is to employers – especially when young people are channelling their energy into a good cause.Read more...

History of Consett Q and A – Local Mysteries now Solved!

As part of Building Self-Belief’s series of events about Consett’s heritage, local Historian Brian Harrison agreed to be in the spotlight for our Consett’s History Q and A session. We decided to change the format, and instead of delivering a talk, in advance of the session Brian was sent a series of questions that he had to research in preparation for the evening. What evolved was a lively and engaging event where every single person n the room learnt something new!Here is a selection of s...

Preserving Green Spaces in the Consett Area

The allocation of Green Spaces has been suggested as the starting point for our Consett Area Neighbourhood Plan. We have the advantage of living in a beautiful place, and as an area, we are on the edge of  the North Pennines, classed as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Help us preserve and enhance the beauty of our area....

Solar farm approval was unlawful, judge says

Article from BBC NewsCampaigners are celebrating after a High Court judge said a council's approval of plans for a solar farm was unlawful.Approved by Durham County Council, Lightsource bp's contentious plans to transform a 92-hectare site near Burnhope into a huge solar farm are fiercely opposed by residents.Villagers challenged the proposals with a judicial review, which has now concluded with a judge's order to quash planning permission.The council said it was "disappointed" but accepted the ...

Victory as High Court dismisses Consett Incinerator appeal

Article by Bill EdgarProject Genesis hoped to overrule thousands of objections from residents and planning refusals from Durham County Council and the government to build the energy facility at the Hownsgill Industrial Park, near Delves Lane. The local developer said the outcome was “extremely disappointing” and hit out at political interference and the ‘Not In My Back Yard’ culture around the proposal. It also accused protest groups of scaremongering and spreading misinformation.&n...

Consett incinerator plans rejected by High Court

Article by Bill Edgar & Sam ThomsonDevelopers Project Genesis wanted to build the energy plant but faced opposition from the council and campaigners.Rejecting the appeal, Mr Justice Fordam said he was not persuaded by any of the arguments the developers had entered.Project Genesis said the decision was "extremely disappointing" and accused protest groups of "scaremongering".The High Court refusal centred around the significant harm to the character and appearance of the landscape, and how it...

Consett Charity Building Self Belief Launch Digital Scheme

In an increasingly digital world, it is getting harder to navigate technology and keep up to date with changes. Consett-based charity, Building-Self Belief are hoping to bridge the gap by launching digital skills sessions to help benefit the community in building confidence online.The sessions will include workshops on how to use and access emails through mobile phones, help with setting up and using social media accounts like Facebook and X (formerly known as Twitter), as well as using onl...

High Court delays Consett incinerator decision

A High Court decision on plans to build a controversial incinerator in County Durham has been delayed, after the judge said he needed more time.Developers Project Genesis are appealing the government’s decision to reject its proposal for the facility in Consett.They have argued that the energy centre would prevent rubbish from being buried in landfill and generate cheap, environmentally friendly power.But campaigners said the incinerator would be a danger to local health.Planning permission fo...

Consett’s Shotley Bridge Hospital Project Faces Delays

Consett’s plans for a new community hospital to replace Shotley Bridge Hospital are experiencing delays. Initially projected to open in 2025, a revised timeline for the project is now under consideration. This proposed establishment was part of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s broader objective of inaugurating 40 new hospitals across the UK by 2030.Durham County Councillor Kevin Earley voiced concerns about the delay, highlighting the anticipation and concerns of the local community....

Local Youth Allotment Group Celebrates Blackhill Bowling Club’s Centenary with a Green Gift

In a heartwarming display of community spirit, the local young persons’ allotment group recently presented a beautifully crafted planter to the Blackhill Bowling Club in celebration of their centenary. The thoughtful gesture not only marks a significant milestone for the bowling club but also highlights the collaborative efforts of the community’s younger generation.Crafted at Derwentside College with the invaluable support of the joinery department, the planter showcases...

Free Walks Around Consett

The purpose of the Consett Hiking Group is to facilitate guided walks for the benefit of the community. Their aim is to stimulate physical activity, improve stamina and good health, by encouraging people to walk, in a non-competitive, social environment, towards improving their wellness and mental health, through green exercise; whilst exploring and discovering the local countryside, history, wildlife and heritage.Walks are free, convivial, and can be tailored to meet the needs of specific commu...

Decision over future of County Durham incinerator delayed after High Court hearing

A High Court decision on plans to build an incinerator in County Durham has been delayed, after a judge admitted he needed more time to consider his rulingProject Genesis appeared in court to appeal the government’s decision to reject its proposal for the facility in Consett.The local regeneration organisation hopes to overrule thousands of objections from residents and a planning refusal from Durham County Council (DCC) to build the energy centre at the Hownsgill Industrial Park.Read on ...

Bike donated from Consett Charity part of community project

A County Durham charity has supplied its first road bike to a struggling man through one of its community projects.Building Self Belief supplied the road bike to Guy Launchbury through their Tow Law community projects.Having moved to County Durham from London to have an improved quality of life for his children, Guy Launchbury has struggled to find work since moving to Tow Law two years ago, due to a lack of transport links.Guy has attended the family support and employa...

Consett neighbourhood forum to establish in New Year

Named the Consett Area Neighbourhood Forum, this venture aims to ensure the voices of local people are heard.The formal establishment of the forum will be celebrated at an event on Sunday, January 14 where there will be a formal voting of committee members. An information evening for the forum was hosted on Tuesday, December 19 in Consett, County Durham at The Steel Club to outline the priorities and objectives of the forum as well as to introduce its constitution and to allow tho...

Plans to enhance Consett to create a thriving town centre have moved into their final stage.

Durham County Council is due to start phase two and three of transformation works in Middle Street in Consett as part of its Town Centre Capital programme.The works, which are scheduled to begin on Monday, July 17, will see the new paving from phase one continued, as well as new bollards and bins installed.The council will also be installing new seating and planters to create enjoyable areas for people to relax, as well as seating around new bespoke lighting columns which will project seasonal p...