NEWS

The applications seek permission for modern phone kiosks offering free non-international calls, an interactive map and a defibrillator at locations in Coleraine, Portrush, Ballymoney and Limavady. Saturday 03 October 2026 New planning applications could see modern public phone kiosks introduced at 12 locations across Causeway Coast and Glens. Applicant New World Payphones has submitted proposals for “new communications kiosks” offering free calls, an interactive map and a def

Thursday 01 October 2026 Pilgrim’s Europe says around £155 million of potential investment in Northern Ireland farms is being held back by planning delays, warning that future growth and jobs could depend on speeding up decisions needed to expand poultry capacity. The warning comes as the food giant, which incorporates Moy Park, reported increased revenue and operating profit for 2025 and highlighted the scale of its Northern Ireland operations, including four food plants and

The former Halifax bank building on Main Street, Larne at the centre of a proposal for a new coffee shop and galateria. Wednesday 30 September 2026 Plans have been submitted to turn Larne’s former Halifax bank into a coffee shop and gelateria. An agent acting on behalf of Assemble Brunch Company has applied to Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for a change of use at 33 Main Street. The proposal would bring the vacant premises back into use as a coffee shop and ice cream bus

Waveney Road, Ballymena Monday 28 September 2026 A refusal by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to grant planning permission for a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) at 49 Waveney Road, Ballymena, has been overturned by the Planning Appeals Commission. The proposal, involving a change of use from a four-bedroom dwelling to a five-bedroom, five-person HMO, was turned down by the council’s Planning Committee in January. There were 40 objections to the proposal, raising concer

Site for Lidl’s proposed new concept store in Ballymena Thursday 24 September 2026 Plans for one of Northern Ireland’s largest Lidl stores have come under fresh scrutiny after independent retail experts said they are not yet satisfied that the need for the major Ballymena development has been demonstrated — or that it would avoid significant adverse impacts on the town centre. The findings are contained in a detailed independent Retail Audit commissioned by Mid and East Antri

CGI giving an impression of what the new CRS Ballymena base could look like when constructed. Image: © Love Ballymena 2026 Tuesday 22 September 2026 Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is considering a planning application for a new purpose-built training centre and station in Ballymena for the Community Rescue Service (CRS). The proposal would see a single-storey building constructed at Kernohan’s Lane, around 70 metres from the Ecos Centre, together with 28 car parking spac

CGI showing the newly approved Warehouse set to bring investment and jobs in County Antrim with the arrival of James Latham Timber PLC Tuesday 22 September 2026 A new £10 million warehouse and distribution facility has been approved for County Antrim, with the investment expected to create around 10 jobs and contribute an estimated £2.76 million a year to the local economy. The development at Houston’s Corner, Newtownabbey, will become a new facility for James Latham Timber P

Sunday 20 September 2026 Plans have been lodged for a new recreational fishing pond near Ballymoney which would be open to the general public and work with local groups and charities to provide access to what developers describe as a “calming outdoor hobby”. The proposal is for land approximately 250 metres south-west of 63 Glenstall Road, outside Ballymoney, and also includes an ancillary toilet and storage building. Planning documents say the facility would be fully accessi

CGI design drawing showing aerial view of the proposed IFA National Football Centre outside Ballymena Tuesday 15 September 2026 A campaign opposing the proposed location of the Irish FA’s National Football Centre in Galgorm has challenged North Antrim MP Jim Allister to subject the project to the same level of scrutiny he applied to Casement Park — prompting the MP to insist he will not be “pressurised or bullied” into adopting objectors’ position. The intervention from the R

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. Image: © Love Ballymena 2026 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” sch

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

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

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

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

CGI of the proposed IFA National Football Training Centre outside Ballymena Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has admitted that its decision that the proposed Irish FA National Football Centre at Galgorm did not require an Environmental Statement was unlawful and has committed to carrying out the assessment again. The significant development comes after Sarah and John Herbison threatened judicial review proceedings, challenging the council’s handling of the Environmental Im

Sara Kyle, owner of Galgorm Parks Riding School A long-established Ballymena riding school which provides therapeutic riding for disabled children and young people could face an uncertain future if the proposed Irish FA National Football Centre is built nearby, its owner has warned. Sara Kyle, owner of Galgorm Parks Riding School, says she fears increased noise and activity associated with the major development could affect horses, vulnerable riders and ultimately the viabili

CGI of the approved new DHL distribution centre in Co Antrim. Tuesday 25 August 2026 Plans for a new £15 million DHL distribution centre in Newtownabbey have been approved, paving the way for an overall £18 million investment in the local economy and the creation of 80 new full-time jobs. Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Planning Committee has given the go-ahead for the development at Ballyearl Business Park, which will provide a substantial new storage and distribut

CGI of the proposed new Irish FA National Football Centre at Galgorm One of Ballymena’s biggest employers has thrown its weight behind plans for a major Irish FA National Football Centre at Galgorm, as the planning file shows around 110 representations supporting the development compared with 64 opposing it. Wrightbus has formally backed the proposed centre at Fenaghy Road, arguing that an investment of this scale could increase visitor numbers, support businesses across hosp

County Hall, Ballymena A review of the environmental service that advises councils on major planning applications is being pursued by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council amid concerns over delays, accountability and confidence in Northern Ireland’s planning system. Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has welcomed the move to examine Shared Environmental Services (SES), which is based at County Hall in Ballymena and provides specialist environmental advice to councils as part of the

CGI of new multi-purpose berthing facility for cruise ships to the city at land on Airport Road West in the Harbour Estate. Belfast’s facilities for welcoming cruise passengers are set to be expanded after councillors approved amended plans for a multi-purpose berthing facility within the Harbour Estate. Belfast City Council’s Planning Committee gave the application from Belfast Harbour Commissioners the green light on Tuesday evening, 18 August. The development, on land at A