NEWS

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

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

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 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

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

A park ranger employed by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council was threatened while responding to an incident involving antisocial behaviour by a group of young people in Ballymena’s People’s Park last week. The incident happened on the evening of Thursday, 2 July, and is understood to have involved serious threats being made towards the council employee by one young person in particular. The incident prompted the council to reduce opening hours at the popular town centre park

The site off the Dans Road being cleared with local residents reporting the removal of ‘several ancient trees’ Opponents of a controversial housing development beside Ballymena’s Braid River Walk say their campaign is far from over after holding a community information night this week following the recent planning decision that approved the scheme in principle. Residents and campaign supporters gathered at the Leighinmohr House Hotel on Thursday evening, June 2, to hear updat

A group of musicians who took part in the previous Soundfest in Ballymena, as part of the Shared Island initiative between Waterford City & County Council and Mid & East Antrim Borough Council. Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has secured around £128,000 in funding for a major new cross-border arts and culture programme that will focus on breathing new life into underused spaces in Larne and Carrickfergus while creating new opportunities for residents to take part in creat

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon launches the council’s part of the ‘Immersive Ancestral Cottage Trail’ with Robert Stewart at its President Arthur Homestead in Cullybackey. Mid and East Antrim is set to play a central role in a new international tourism initiative designed to strengthen historic links between Northern Ireland and the United States while attracting visitors from around the world to local heritage sites. A new immersive ancestral cottage tr

“Failure to effectively manage bonfire-related activity across the borough” has been identified as a potential risk for Mid and East Antrim Borough Council. The issue has now been added to the local authority’s corporate risk register, which is monitored by the senior management team on a quarterly basis. The proposed addition was presented for consideration by councillors, behind closed doors, at a meeting of the council’s Audit and Scrutiny Committee in May. Minutes of that

Entrance to Tullygarley Community Centre car park, and the local playing fields Residents living near Tullygarley playing fields are set to see overnight access restrictions introduced after concerns were raised about anti-social behaviour involving vehicles in the area. Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has confirmed it will arrange for the entrance barrier at the popular Ballymena facility to be closed nightly between 8pm and 8am once repairs to the existing gate have bee

The refurbished Greenvale Street, a key pedestrianised thoroughfare in Ballymena that enhances accessibility for pedestrians and visitors. Ballymena is celebrating 400 years of history this year, marking four centuries of growth, industry and community spirit in one of Northern Ireland’s best-known market towns. The milestone comes at a time of significant change for town centres across the UK, with traditional retail facing increasing pressure from online shopping, changing

Hayley Barr LMP, Denise Mayo LMP, Paul Truscott GM Harbourview Hotel, Kelli McRoberts, Annie McSparron, and Jacqueline Dickson A hospitality programme delivered in Mid and East Antrim has helped local residents secure jobs, gain recognised qualifications and take their first steps towards launching businesses of their own. The latest Hospitality Taster Programme, delivered by Carrickfergus Enterprise in partnership with Mid and East Antrim Labour Market Partnership and Clanmi

Political, military and community representatives gathered at the Knockagh Monument on Sunday to commemorate the Battle of the Somme. (All photos: Steven McAuley / McAuley Multimedia) The sacrifice of thousands of soldiers who lost their lives during one of the First World War’s bloodiest battles was remembered on Sunday (June 28) as veterans, military personnel, civic leaders and community representatives gathered high above County Antrim for a poignant commemoration at Knoc

Wellington Street, Ballymena A Mid and East Antrim councillor has called for a “fresh pair of eyes” to help drive town centre regeneration across the borough. Speaking at a meeting of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Environment and Economy Committee at The Braid in Ballymena on Monday evening, Braid DUP Alderman William McCaughey called for an independent expert to be included on a proposed new town centre taskforce. Alderman McCaughey said the taskforce is “something t

Church Street Car Park Three, Ballymena Mid and East Antrim councillors have agreed to the installation of barriers at a town centre car park in Ballymena at a cost of £13,000 in a bid to curb anti-social behaviour. Members of the borough council’s Environment and Economy Committee approved the installation of automatic barriers at Church Street Car Park Three in response to complaints from nearby residents. The decision was taken at a meeting in The Braid, Ballymena, on Mond

Planning permission has been approved by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for a proposed new bingo hall at Murrayfield Shopping Centre in Larne town centre. The proposal involves the change of use of a vacant retail unit, formerly occupied by Poundland, into a bingo hall and adult gaming centre at the Point Street premises. A development management officer’s report noted that 21 letters of support and three letters of objection were received. One objection came from Toal’s