NEWS

Leighinmohr House Hotel Planning permission has been granted by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for a rooftop spa and a new bridal cottage at the Leighinmohr House Hotel in Ballymena. A development management officer’s report said the proposed spa will be located on the first floor, with alterations at ground-floor level to accommodate a lift at the Leighinmohr Avenue premises. Planners received eight objections raising concerns about potential noise pollution, external

Mid and East Antrim Sports Awards winners are pictured with our sponsors, Mayoress Mrs Allison Minford, Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, Communities Minister Lyons and Claire McCollum. Impressive achievements, a historic first, and even a world record set the tone for a standout night as Mid and East Antrim’s finest athletes were celebrated at the 2026 Sports Awards. Held at the Galgorm Resort in Ballymena and hosted by Claire McCollum, the event brou

Mayor and Mayoress of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford and Allison Minford. A night of generosity and community spirit in Ballymena has delivered a major boost for two life-changing charities, with more than £5,000 raised at the Mayor’s annual charity ball. Hosted by the Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford , the event brought together over 140 guests at Galgorm Resort and Spa on Saturday, 14 March, in support of Chest Heart & Stroke and Nor

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford pictured with Darren Tweed, wife Amber, and son Jack at Mayoral reception to recognise Darren's extraordinary commitment to fundraising. A Ballymena man whose personal journey has inspired extraordinary fundraising efforts has been formally recognised by the Mayor of Mid and East Antrim after completing a remarkable 100km charity run. Darren Tweed was honoured at a special reception hosted by Mayor of Mid and East Antri

Shutters down: The changing face of Ballymena town centre. Church Street, Ballymena. Business leaders across Mid and East Antrim have issued a stark warning to councillors: town centres are entering a period of accelerating decline — and without urgent intervention the damage could become irreversible. In coordinated correspondence sent directly by email to Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s elected representatives, the chairs of Larne Business Forum and Ballymena Business

A consultation is launching on the proposed site of mix use development on former publicly owned land at Ballee Playing Fields, in Ballymena . A new chapter in the long-running debate over the future of Ballee Playing Fields in Ballymena is about to begin, after Mid and East Antrim Borough Council approved a Planning Application Notice (PAN) for a major mixed-use development on the site. The land off Ballee Road West — formerly owned by the council — could be transformed into

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, pictured with Councillor Anna Henry to announce the Community Toilet Scheme which has launched in Portglenone. Portglenone village is making life a little easier for residents and visitors, thanks to a new Community Toilet Scheme launched by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council in partnership with local businesses. The initiative allows anyone to use participating businesses’ toilet facilities free of charge during norm

Slemish Market Garden, Ballymena A planning application for the retention of a farm shop, car park extension and change of use of an existing office and former retail unit to storage in Ballymena has been approved by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Planning Committee. Members granted permission at a meeting on Thursday (February 26) for works at Slemish Market Garden, located within the grounds of the Ecos Nature Park at Kernohan’s Lane. The approval also covers a new s

Hillwalkers and visitors to Slemish Mountain for St Patrick’s Day in 2025, with large crowds expected again in 2026. A centuries-old tradition will once again bring hundreds of people to the slopes of Slemish Mountain this St Patrick’s Day, as families from across County Antrim prepare to take part in the annual uphill climb. Held on Tuesday 17 March, the popular St Patrick’s Day ascent blends local legend, shared history and outdoor adventure in one of the borough’s most rec

The location of a proposed HMO property on Galgorm Road, Ballymena A proposed change of use from a dwelling to a house in multiple occupation (HMO) at 46 Galgorm Road, Ballymena, has been refused. The application was turned down by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Planning Committee at a meeting in The Braid, Ballymena, on Thursday, despite a recommendation to approve. A planning officer told the meeting the proposal involved the change of use of a five-bedroom, three-st

A living symbol of remembrance now stands in the heart of Ballymena after a ‘Tree of Hope’ was planted in People’s Park to commemorate the millions murdered during the Holocaust. The commemorative cherry tree, accompanied by an inscribed plaque, was planted on Friday 27 February 2026 during a special civic ceremony hosted by the Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford , alongside pupils from Cambridge House Grammar School . Set against the backdrop of People’

Plans for a new 3G pitch and stand at Ballymena Showgrounds A planning application for a new full-size 3G football pitch and spectator stand at Ballymena Showgrounds has been approved by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Planning Committee. A planning officer told the committee, which met at The Braid in Ballymena on Thursday, that the existing grass pitch (number seven) is one of several within the Ballymena Showgrounds complex. In addition to upgrading the pitch to a 3G

Knockan Road Play Park in Broughshane on Tuesday, January 27, when Storm Chandra brought heavy rainfall leading to the River Braid bursting its banks. Four weeks after floodwater tore through Broughshane, families are still waiting for their local play park to reopen — and questions are now being asked at Stormont level. North Antrim DUP MLA Paul Frew  has raised concerns over the continued closure of Broughshane Play Park on Knockan Road following severe storm damage last mo

CGI of Lidl’s proposed new store on St Patrick’s Link Road, Ballymena. A significant new retail investment is being proposed for one of Ballymena’s busiest gateway locations — with plans submitted for a large-format Lidl foodstore at the junction of St Patrick’s Link Road and Broughshane Road. The planning application is supported by a detailed Planning, Design and Access Statement setting out proposals for a purpose-built store with a gross internal floor area of 2,560 squar

Carrickfergus seafront… with an added beach Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has confirmed it will not proceed with plans to create a beach at Carrickfergus seafront. A Freedom of Information (FOI) request received by the council in June last year sought details regarding its plans to “realise this objective”. The council was asked: “How can the issues facing natural sand recycling, foul smelling seaweed and the extent of high tide placing water right up against the wall b

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, pictured with children from Moorfields Primary School, along with community representatives, contractors, councillors and council staff. Two much-loved play parks in Mid and East Antrim have officially reopened, unveiling safer, more inclusive and fully refreshed spaces designed to bring families together for years to come. The completion of refurbishment works at Moorfields in Ballymena and Beachlands Play Park in Car

The site for a proposed boat shed at Bay Road, Carnlough on the Antrim coast. A planning application for the construction of a boat shed in Carnlough has been refused by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council. The proposal sought retention of a concrete slab and permission to erect a boat shed to replace an existing store at Bay Road. The proposed structure would measure approximately 5 metres by 2.8 metres and stand 2.85 metres high. The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) Rive

Tributes have been paid following the passing of former Ballymena Mayor and long-serving councillor PJ McAvoy, a respected public figure who dedicated three decades to serving the people of the town. Mr McAvoy, who sadly passed away on Thursday 19 February, was widely recognised for his commitment to public life and his efforts to foster cooperation and mutual respect within local government. Three decades of public service The former SDLP councillor was first elected to Ball

Children from Carniny Primary School and St. Colmcille’s Primary School taking part in the Top Children's Author Election in 2025 Almost 1,800 primary school pupils across Mid and East Antrim will head to the polls on World Book Day as part of a special ‘Top Children’s Author Election’ marking Democracy Week 2026. Seventeen primary schools from across the borough are participating in the initiative, which sees ten Northern Ireland children’s writers vying for the votes of you

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council looks set to join a neighbouring authority in restricting commercial use of household recycling centres (HRCs). The issue was discussed behind closed doors at Monday’s meeting of the borough council at The Braid in Ballymena. At last month’s meeting of the council’s Environment and Economy Committee, councillors were asked to “reinstate the system used during Covid” , which restricted access by commercial vehicles and limited use of househo