NEWS

CGI of the new Ballymena Health and Leisure Centre recently approved by Planners at Mid and East Antrim Borough Council Plans for a new leisure centre in Ballymena have taken a significant turn, with construction costs now estimated at £54 million—more than double the original projection—prompting Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to openly seek private sector involvement to deliver the long-awaited project. While full planning permission for the proposed centre at St Patri

Plans reveal the new design proposal for Broughshane Community Centre; (inset) the current facility in the village. Fresh planning proposals have been submitted for the construction of a new community centre at Knockan Road in Broughshane, setting out detailed designs for a modern, energy-efficient facility intended to serve the village for generations to come. The plans include a new community hall, playgroup facility, sports changing areas, associated car parking and extens

(L-R) Valeria Watts, Interim Chief Executive of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, David Nichol, HSENI Board Member, Elise Logan, Lead Environmental Health Officer,  Laura Hughes, HSENI Inspector,  Mayor Councillor Jackson Miniford, HSENI Deputy Chief Executive Nicola Monson, Clement Kennedy, Environmental Health Manager, John McVeigh, Interim Director of Community at Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and HSENI Chief Executive Robert Kidd. Mid and East Antrim Borough Coun

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford pictured with Joan Burney Keatings MBE with cast and crew from Cinemagic Placement Insights Programme. Young filmmakers from across Mid and East Antrim have taken centre stage after seeing their work showcased on the big screen at a special short film screening held at the Ecos Hub. A group of 23 talented young people, aged between 17 and 24, attended the screening of The Friendship Garden, an original short film develo

Planning permission was refused for a change of use for a property at Waveney Road, Ballymena Planning permission for a proposed House of Multiple Occupancy (HMO) in Ballymena has been refused following a closely contested vote at Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Planning Committee. The decision was taken at a meeting of the committee held on Thursday 15 January 2025, where elected members voted five against , four in favour of the application, and two left the room , o

Aerial views of the proposed new leisure centre in Ballymena Plans for a long-awaited £25 million leisure, health and wellbeing centre in Ballymena have been formally approved by councillors, marking a significant milestone in efforts to replace the town’s ageing Seven Towers Leisure Centre. Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Planning Committee gave the green light on Thursday 15 January 2025 for the major development, which will be located on 1.7 hectares of land at the S

Castle Street 3 car park, Ballymena CCTV has been installed at a Ballymena town centre car park following a series of reports of antisocial behaviour, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has confirmed. The Church Street 3 car park, which can be accessed from both Castle Street and the Larne Road Link, has become a regular meeting point for young drivers during night-time hours. While the area is commonly used for parking, concerns have been raised due to its close proximity t

Inset: Braid Ulster Unionist Councillor Alan Barr Braid Ulster Unionist Councillor Alan Barr has strongly criticised ongoing failures in Bryson Recycling’s kerbside collection service, warning that residents across Mid and East Antrim are being left frustrated and short-changed despite paying for a service that is “simply not being delivered”. The councillor says he has been inundated with complaints from households reporting repeated missed collections, damaged bins and re

Local UUP Councillor Brian Thompson with Rosie Orr and a number of other local residents launch Stop The Build Community Group as they deliver a strongly supported petition and letters of opposition to council’s planning director at Ardeevin, Ballymena. Opposition is continuing to grow against a proposed housing development close to the Braid River Walk in Ballymena, with residents from across the wider Tullygarley and Galgorm Road areas joining forces to protect what they de

Staff from The Harbourview Hotel, Carnlough, who exhibited on the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council stand at the Balmoral Show 2025. Food and drink producers and visitor experience businesses across Mid and East Antrim are being offered the chance to showcase their products to tens of thousands of visitors at the Balmoral Show 2026. Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has opened Expressions of Interest for local businesses to take part in the NI Food Pavilion at the Balmora

Site location highlighted in red for proposed 57 apartment development in Galgorm, Ballymena A planning application has been lodged with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for 57 new apartments outside Ballymena. The application has been submitted by an agent on behalf of David McGroggan of Galgorm Homes Limited. The proposal seeks permission for 57 apartments with associated car parking on a vacant site opposite Galgorm Industrial Estate, located between the River Maine and

CGI image of proposed apartments at Galgorm Resort, Ballymena A planning application has been lodged with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for 32 new self-catering apartments at Galgorm Resort on Fenaghy Road, outside Ballymena. A planning statement submitted with the application indicates the proposed luxury apartments would form a four-storey development with a central communal entrance space. The scheme would include a variety of apartment types and shared facilities. E

Sparky, the Budget Energy mascot, joins players as the Budget Energy SuperCupNI confirms the eight Northern Ireland representatives for the 2026 Boys’ Minor Section, the first official team announcement ahead of next summer’s 43rd edition of the tournament. Pictured left to right are Callum McCabe (Rosario YFC) , Dylan Harkin (Maiden City), Archie Muir (Ballymena United) , Flynn Johnston (Cliftonville), Luke Duddy (Linfield) , Lorcàn Duffy (Newell Academy), Ben Robinson (Glen

An appeal against the refusal of full planning permission by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for a proposed house in multiple occupation (HMO) at 14 Victoria Road, Larne, has been dismissed by the Planning Appeals Commission. Full planning permission had been sought to change the use of a six-bedroom dwelling to a ten-bedroom HMO. The appeal was submitted by Nadia Property Ltd, and a site visit took place on June 2. In the commissioner’s report, it was stated that “the ma

Dunluce Street, Larne Mid and East Antrim councillors have been told of planned “cosmetic improvements” for Dunluce Street in Larne. A report presented to a recent meeting of the borough council’s Environment and Economy Committee said the scheme will include the cleaning and painting of property façades and gable walls, treatment of downpipes and guttering, and the replacement of hoarding at a derelict gap site. Dunluce Street, a key town centre thoroughfare, was previously

Nominations for the prestigious Mid and East Antrim Sports Awards 2026 will open in early January, offering residents the chance to celebrate the Borough’s outstanding sporting stars, teams, coaches and volunteers. Organised by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, the annual awards shine a spotlight on those who have demonstrated exceptional achievement, dedication and service across the local sporting landscape — from grassroots participation to elite performance. The awards

John McClintock and Pamela Steele from Northern Regional College; Patrick McNeill, former FutureMakers Academy participant and Clarke employee; MTF chairman David Watson; Logan Godfrey, past FutureMakers Academy participant and Wrightbus employee; Donna McCullough from Northern Regional College; and Donna Morrison from Mid and East Antrim Borough Council A fully funded skills programme aimed at helping people into sustainable employment is offering a new route into manufactur

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, has reflected on a year of resilience, generosity and progress across the Borough in his Christmas message to residents. As festive lights illuminate towns and villages across Mid and East Antrim, the Mayor spoke of the “joy and warmth of Christmas” and the strong sense of community that has defined the past year. “It has been a true honour to serve as your

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has announced a series of festive service changes to ensure bin collections, recycling centres and key public facilities continue running smoothly over the Christmas and New Year period. A Council spokesperson said the temporary adjustments have been introduced “as we come together to celebrate the season,” adding: “These temporary adjustments to bin collections, recycling centres and public facilities will help ensure our services continu

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, pictured with students and staff at Northern Regional College, Ballymena, along with Danielle Polkey, Eden Hair & Beauty, Darren Lyttle, Circle Creative Communications, Karl Scullion, Museco, and Christine Barnhill, Economic Development Officer, MEABC. Ballymena students have connected with some of Mid and East Antrim’s leading business figures during the borough’s final session of the innovative ‘Future Founders’ prog