NEWS

A total of 260 new homes were completed across Mid and East Antrim during the financial year from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026, according to a new council report. Presented to Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Planning Committee at The Braid in Ballymena on Thursday, the Housing Land Availability Report shows Ballymena accounted for 41 per cent of all new homes completed during the year, ahead of Carrickfergus (13 per cent) and Larne (almost 12 per cent). The report also

Preparations are continuing to get the premises in Ballymena town centre ready for the new coffee shop and amusement arcade. Planning permission has been approved by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for the change of use of a retail unit into a coffee shop and amusement arcade in Ballymena town centre. The proposal relates to a vacant retail premises at 41–43 Church Street, which planning documents say has stood empty for several years after accommodating a number of diffe

CGI showing elevations of approved plans to create 19 town centre apartments at a historic former bank building in Ballymena. Planning permission has been granted to transform a historic former bank building in Ballymena town centre into 19 apartments. Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Planning Committee approved the application at a meeting in The Braid on Thursday morning. The proposal will see the partial demolition of the building at 97 Mill Street, alongside its ada

Five newly trained volunteer Walk Leaders are set to help more people in Cushendall enjoy free weekly community walks aimed at improving health, wellbeing and social connection. The volunteers, all members of the Cushendall Development Group, recently completed Walk Leader training and will now support the local Walking for All group, which meets every Tuesday at 1pm. The initiative is designed to encourage people of all ages and abilities to get outdoors, enjoy gentle exerci

Electrical recycling point at one of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Household Recycling Centres (HRC) Residents across Mid and East Antrim are being urged to take extra care when disposing of batteries, vapes and electrical items after a series of potentially dangerous fire incidents at the borough’s Household Recycling Centres. Mid and East Antrim Borough Council says several recent near-misses have been caused by items being placed in the wrong recycling containers,

Inset: Alliance councillor for Braid, Chelsea Harwood Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has committed to providing all elected members with training on violence against women and girls (VAWG), including the harmful effects of victim blaming, after Alliance councillor Chelsea Harwood raised the issue at Monday night’s council meeting (27 July) following recent remarks by DUP councillor Reuben Glover. The confirmation came in response to a question submitted by Councillor Har

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon, is pictured alongside Ross Oliver of Galgorm Castle Golf Club ahead of the NI Legends event coming to the borough from the 2 to 6 September 2026. Northern Ireland’s biggest names in senior professional golf will return to Galgorm this September as the NI Legends tournament brings Major champions, Ryder Cup stars and international players back to Mid and East Antrim. The tournament, part of the Staysure Legends Tour, takes

Metropole Park, Portrush Campaigners hoping to see a dedicated skatepark and urban sports facility on the North Coast are a step closer to that ambition, with work set to begin next month on a masterplan for the long-awaited Metropole Project in Portrush. The study, due to begin in August, marks a fresh attempt to bring forward proposals for a major outdoor recreation space after more than three decades of campaigning and several previous schemes that failed to reach construc

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon, is pictured with Shirin Murphy, Heritage Officer, at Carrickfergus Museum ahead of the Mapping Medieval Carrickfergus events In August People with an interest in local history will have the chance to explore what Carrickfergus may have looked like nearly 800 years ago at a free event next month showcasing a new interactive medieval map of the town. On Saturday, 15 August, Carrickfergus Museum will host a day of workshops a

A former Salvation Army hall in Coleraine could be set for a transformation with plans lodged for a proposed urgent care health centre Plans have been submitted to transform a former Salvation Army hall in Coleraine into a private urgent healthcare centre offering walk-in medical appointments as an alternative to NHS services. The application, lodged with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, seeks permission to convert the former Salvation Army building at 152 Ballycastl

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon is pictured with Anna Tait, owner of Ahoghill based business EJs Country Kitchen who had secured grant funding from an earlier round of the Rural Business Development Grant Scheme. An Ahoghill family-run food business that expanded its kitchen and introduced new dining experiences with the help of a rural development grant is being highlighted as more local businesses are encouraged to apply for funding of up to £7,500. EJs

CGI showing overview of proposals for Ballee Playing Fields, Ballymena A £15 million proposal that would transform the former Ballee Playing Fields into a major mixed-use development featuring sports facilities, a community hub, healthcare provision and commercial investment has formally been submitted to Mid and East Antrim Borough Council. The long-awaited planning application would redevelop one of Ballymena’s most prominent gateway sites, bringing a floodlit football faci

Football clubs and other users of Knockan Road Playing Fields in Ballymena are continuing to face problems with ageing facilities and maintenance issues, according to a local councillor who says action is needed to improve the site. Ulster Unionist Party Braid councillor Alan Barr has highlighted a series of concerns affecting the popular playing fields, including the continued use of shipping containers as changing rooms and toilets, alongside a list of maintenance defects h

Aerial view of the existing Guest House complex. A long-established guest house on the outskirts of Ballymoney could be converted back into a private family home after a planning application was lodged with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council. The application seeks permission to change the use of Harmony Hill Guest House and Restaurant, at 60–64 Balnamore Road, from guest accommodation to a single domestic dwelling. A return to the building’s original purpose Planning do

Glenarm Castle, County Antrim Planning permission has been granted by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for the installation of solar panels at Glenarm Castle. The listed building consent application was submitted by Antrim Estates Company. Glenarm Castle is a Grade A listed building, recognised for its special architectural and historic interest. A planning officer’s report said the Department for Communities’ Historic Environment Division (HED) raised no objections to the

The walkway at the side of Ballycastle’s police station. (Images: Anne Kelly) Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has agreed to seek information on the ownership of a popular pedestrian walkway in Ballycastle. The decision follows a motion put forward by Sinn Féin councillor Cara McShane at the June Corporate Policy and Resources Committee meeting, requesting that council officers contact Greer Hamilton Gailey Solicitors, Ballymoney, to seek any available information reg

The vacant premises in Larne town centre will plans approved to be used as a place of worship Planning permission has been granted by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for the change of use of a former coffee shop and bakery in Larne town centre into a place of worship. The proposal relates to a vacant commercial premises on Lower Cross Street. A development management officer’s report said the application proposes internal alterations only, with no external changes to the

(L-R) UUP party leader and North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows, TUV Bannside councillor Anna Henry, and Alliance Party Braid councillor, Chelsea Harwood Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows has condemned reported comments by DUP councillor Reuben Glover about girls’ clothing and an alleged sexual assault in Ballymena, saying such views should have been “consigned to the 70’s”. Alliance councillor Chelsea Harwood has also called for an investigation and disciplinary action, descr

Machinery moved in around midnight to demolish The Antrim Arms, a derelict listed building in the middle of Ballycastle, County Antrim. (Photos: McAuley Multimedia) The overnight demolition of the former Antrim Arms Hotel has marked the end of one of Ballycastle’s most recognisable historic buildings, as Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council investigates whether the work was legally carried out. Machinery moved in toward midnight on Wednesday night, July 8, with much of th

Planning permission has been approved by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for a proposed indoor golf simulator and covered putting area at Ballymena Golf Club. A planning officer’s report said the proposed development would be located on a “rectangular-shaped, fairly level grassed area between the existing club car park and the course”. The club is situated in the countryside on Raceview Road between Ballymena and Broughshane. The report stated: “The proposal involves the