Plans for a new £25m sports and leisure centre for a former steelworks site in Consett, north east England, have been approved by the Government Office for the North East.

The 40-acre complex, being built by Project Genesis – the public-private partnership responsible for regenerating the 750-acre steelworks site – will include a sports hall, 25m swimming pool, four badminton courts, four outdoor and four indoor tennis courts, a gym and 15 outdoor football pitches.

Funded mainly by Project Genesis and Derwentside Council, it will also become the home of Consett Football Club.

The plans are now on show for local residents to have their say on the final design and layout before building specification permission is sought from Derwentside District Council.

Work is expected to begin on site in spring 2007.

“This project is now very much a reality, with funding in place, and all we have to do is consult with the public and confirm a few final details with the council,” said Morris Muter, managing director of Project Genesis.

“It’s a very exciting development that fits perfectly with the mixed leisure, business and residential usage planned for the Project Genesis site.”