WORK on a controversial academy and leisure complex will start next month, just weeks after a community football club plays its last game on the site.

The development of Consett Academy will mark the end of an era for Consett AFC, which has played on the Belle Vue ground since 1950.

Owners will hand over the keys to Durham Council Council on June 2 and work on the £43 super school and sports centre is expected to start the day after.

Club chairman Frank Bell: “It will be a sad day but one we are looking forward to with mixed feelings. The new ground will be excellent.

“The current facilities do not match the size of the club and what we offer here now.”

On Saturday, Consett AFC held Vase winners Spennymoor Town to a 2-2 draw after leading the visitors 2-0 at half time.

Belle Vue Park was built by volunteers on the site of an old tip and hosted its first game against Sunderland Reserves in August 1950 in front of a still-record crowd of 7,000 fans.

The Wearside club was back there for a commemorative match last Wednesday week and Newcastle United is sending an under-21 team to play Consett on Wednesday for the final game to be played at the old ground.

The Steelmen are moving around a mile away to Crookhall, to a purpose built stadium with a 3G pitch, as well as other facilities for use by all ages.

Work has already started and the club will start playing there by Christmas.

Mr Bell added: “We are well on target and it is going to be fantastic.”

The development of the academy was granted planning permission earlier this year after the council overcame a legal challenge to preserve the land as a village green.

Objectors wanted to use the former steelworks site developed for the new facilities.

North-West Durham MP Pat Glass, who visited the ground last week, said: “The ground has been a popular feature of Consett for many decades.

“Many local residents played for the junior teams and I know that the club is well-supported by the Consett community as a whole. It is always sad to say goodbye to a piece of local history like Belle Vue Park, but we can look forward to the fantastic facilities the new stadium will offer.”