NEWS

Wednesday 16 September 2026 A Northern Ireland council has “strongly disagreed” with the proposed timetable for tougher air pollution limits, while councillors have raised concerns that additional costs could ultimately fall on ratepayers. Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council’s Environment and Sustainability Committee has considered its response to a Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) consultation on plans to tighten legal limits for harmful part

Seven Towers Leisure Centre in Ballymena Wednesday 16 September 2026 Mid and East Antrim councillors have backed plans to restore bank holiday opening at the borough’s three main leisure centres, giving members access to facilities in Ballymena, Larne and Carrickfergus on public holidays. The council’s Neighbourhoods and Communities Committee, meeting at The Braid in Ballymena on Tuesday evening, approved the move, which would see the centres open from 8am until 4pm on bank h

CGI design drawing of the proposed new Ballymena Health, Leisure and Wellbeing Centre Consultancy and related expenditure disclosed across four major Mid and East Antrim Borough Council projects had reached more than £3.55 million by the end of June — including almost £1.14 million across two Ballymena projects. The figures have prompted Ulster Unionist Party Braid Councillor Alan Barr to press the council over whether delays, changes or contract extensions could result in fu

CGI image of how the new development could transform the streetscape in Ballymena town centre. Final design drawings with a full planning permission application have not yet been submitted. Plans for a major redevelopment in the heart of Ballymena have been unveiled, proposing 79 new apartments alongside refurbished Church Street shops, a community hub and a landscaped pedestrian route through the town centre. The emerging “Meeting House Mews” scheme is being brought forward

Andrew, Ballymena Rural Warden; a resident of Cullybackey Fold and Paul, PSNI Crime Prevention Officer educate senior citizens on scams. Senior citizens across Mid and East Antrim are being given practical advice to help them recognise scams and protect themselves from fraud. Community Safety Wardens are distributing copies of The Little Book of Big Scams, which explains some of the most common types of fraud, the warning signs people should watch for and steps they can take

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Tom Gordon The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Tom Gordon, has led tributes to four respected figures with connections to communities across the borough who died recently. Speaking at a meeting of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council at The Braid in Ballymena earlier this week, the mayor paid tribute to Janetta Scott, Joe Carmichael, Liam Kelly and award-winning Ballymena journalist and author Stephen Walker. Ald Gordon offered con

CGI showing an impression of the new building Planning permission has been granted for the proposed partial redevelopment of St Louis Grammar School on Cullybackey Road, Ballymena. Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Planning Committee approved proposals including a new school meals block, improved outdoor areas and a reconfiguration of the front of the site aimed at improving traffic flow and reducing congestion on Cullybackey Road. New school meals block and play area The

Ballymena Town Hall, and (inset) Braid Councillor Alan Barr Mid and East Antrim councillors have backed a call for a dedicated Stormont funding programme to help community groups tackle weeds, litter and neglected public spaces across the borough. The proposal would provide financial support for community organisations and social enterprises carrying out environmental improvements, although several councillors cautioned that any new scheme must not allow councils or other sta

Inset: TUV councillor Jonathan McAuley TUV councillor Jonathan McAuley has expressed disappointment over what he says is a lack of progress by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council on exploring alternatives to traditional fireworks at its Halloween events. The councillor raised the issue again during September’s Environmental Services Committee meeting, almost a year after suggesting that options including silent fireworks and drone shows should be considered. Concerns ove

Antrim Castle Gardens will be transformed into a festive wonderland for almost four weeks this Christmas as the popular Enchanted Winter Garden returns with bigger displays, new features and four additional nights. The outdoor illuminated experience will run from Wednesday 2 December until Monday 28 December 2026, with discounted admission available to residents of Antrim and Newtownabbey borough. Organisers say visitors can expect bigger and brighter lights as they follow th

Councils are set to receive stronger powers to tackle dangerous buildings, abandoned properties and neglected land after new Northern Ireland-wide legislation cleared its final Assembly stage. The Dilapidation Bill will allow councils, including Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, to intervene earlier and issue enforcement notices requiring property owners, occupiers or others with a relevant interest to carry out remedial work. Where a council is forced to undertake the wor

The new soon-to-open arcade and coffee shop in Ballymena town centre A new coffee shop and amusement arcade planned for Ballymena town centre could operate around the clock under an application submitted to Mid and East Antrim Borough Council. The premises at 41–43 Church Street already have planning permission to change from a vacant retail unit into a coffee shop and amusement arcade. The approved operating hours are 9am to 9pm from Monday to Saturday and 11am to 9pm on Sun

The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon with the Principal of Olderfleet Primary School, Mrs. Galbraith and representatives from the school. The Red Ensign has been raised in Ballymena, Carrickfergus and Larne as Mid and East Antrim paid tribute to generations of Merchant Navy seafarers — including thousands who lost their lives during the two World Wars. Mid and East Antrim Borough Council marked national Merchant Navy Day, held annually on 3 September, with

CGI of newly approved five bedroom extension at Oranmore Guesthouse in Ballymena Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has approved plans for a five-bedroom extension at Oranmore Guest House on Galgorm Road, Ballymena, despite NI Water raising concerns over capacity. The proposal will provide additional guest accommodation in a single-storey detached block within the established grounds of the property. However, while planning permission has been granted, a condition attached t

Belfast City Hall A debate intended to highlight the persecution and killing of Christians around the world descended into a bitter political clash at Belfast City Hall this week, as councillors traded accusations over Northern Ireland’s own troubled past. A DUP motion focused specifically on the persecution of Christians — including thousands of reported killings in Nigeria — was ultimately replaced by a Sinn Féin amendment broadening Belfast City Council’s position to conde

The enclosed outdoor padel courts opened last Autumn at Galgorm Castle. Two padel courts already operating at Galgorm Castle have been granted retrospective planning permission, with the five-year approval requiring the development to be reconsidered in 2031. Mid and East Antrim Borough Council approved the application for the enclosed outdoor courts and surrounding surfacing within the grounds of Galgorm Castle Golf Club after assessing their impact on the historic estate an

Rendered image South-East view of proposed i4C complex from St Patrick’s Link, Ballymena A proposed £27 million Innovation and CleanTech Centre in Ballymena is facing questions over its long-term financial sustainability after Love Ballymena learned its business model projects a cumulative operating loss of around £1.5 million over 30 years. Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is currently consulting on plans for the four-storey i4C centre at the former St Patrick’s Barracks

MEA Director of Growth & Major Projects Ryan Black; MEA Assistant Director of Economic Development Ursula O'Loughlin; Mayor Thomas Gordon; and Iain Joannides from Invest NI Business investment in Mid and East Antrim has more than doubled to £20 million in the space of a year, with support offered through Invest Northern Ireland expected to help create 106 new jobs across the borough. More than 90% of those jobs are expected to pay above the private sector median salary, accor

Changing facilities at Broughshane Community Centre Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has acknowledged that delays to the replacement of Broughshane Community Centre have contributed to the further deterioration of temporary changing facilities used by local football clubs. The Council is assessing whether “critical remedial works” are required to keep the existing facilities safe and functional, but has not confirmed what work will be undertaken or when it could begin. The

The Northern Ireland Prison Service has been awarded the Freedom of the Borough of Causeway Coast and Glens, honouring more than a century of public service and remembering the 32 members of the service who lost their lives while serving the community. The prestigious civic honour was conferred during a special ceremony at Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre on Saturday, attended by Prison Service representatives, members of the Lieutenancy, elected representatives and invite