(Image: NORTHERN ECHO)
What is the Public Notice Portal?
The Public Notice Portal carries statutory public notices published in local newspapers and is the fastest and most effective way of finding out what is happening in YOUR neighbourhood.
Search the Public Notice Portal A new Farmfoods store in Consett is on track to open before the end of this year as construction work gathers pace at the long-unused site.
Building work is now under way at Ponds Court, beside McDonald’s off Genesis Way, with the shell of the new supermarket taking shape.
A Farmfoods spokesperson told The Northern Echo: “Progress on the site is positive and all going to plan.
“We continue to hope we can open before the end of this year.”
The update follows concerns raised earlier this year when images from May showed the development appearing largely unchanged from the start of work in October 2025.
At the time, Consett North councillor Kathryn Rooney said the apparent lack of activity was concerning.
However, workers are now on site, and the store building is beginning to emerge at the prominent location, which has stood unused for decades.
Farmfoods and Project Genesis secured unanimous planning permission from Durham County Council in November 2024 for a single-storey food shop, parking, changes to the site access and landscaping.
The approved scheme also includes electric vehicle charging points, cycle parking and solar panels integrated into the roof.
Planning documents state the proposed development will include a service yard, HGV space and refuse store.
Councillors heard the new food store would be within walking distance of Consett town centre, close to a bus stop and existing retailers, including nearby supermarkets and the 24-hour McDonald’s restaurant.
The council concluded that the development would not adversely affect the vitality or viability of food shops in the town centre.
The store is expected to create new retail jobs, with Farmfoods previously saying it would improve shopping provision for residents and support regeneration in this part of Consett.
Read more
Three wanted after 'high value theft' at Darlington M&S Food Hall
North East restaurant brings back 'really special' pottery workshop after 60 years
The King's Head in Cockfield to reopen with new landlord after glass 'attack'
The Ponds Court land was historically part of the former Consett Iron Works, where cooling ponds and sidings were once located.
It remained in industrial use until around 1980 but has since stood vacant, aside from previous unsuccessful development proposals.
A 65-room hotel was approved for the site in 2017, but work stalled and the project was never completed.