Other News In Brief

Holywood Regeneration Project Complete

A £2.5 million regeneration project in Holywood town centre is now complete.

The works include regeneration of pavements and kerbs and the installation of new street lighting, furniture and planting.

Social Development Minister, Mervyn Storey MLA, said: "These significant enhancements within a conservation area will greatly benefit locals and visitors alike. The design and specification have been finished to a high standard befitting the characteristics of the town centre as well as adding to the unique identity of Holywood."

Planning Application To Build Recreation Centre In L'Derry Rejected

Causeway Coast and Glens Council has rejected a planning application to build a new recreation centre in Dungiven, Co L'Derry.

Sinn Féin has hit out at the decision and said it was based on "sectarian attitudes" rather than "financial implications".

Councillor Sean McGlinchey said he was disappointed given the fact that money has been secured from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure.

Councillor McGlinchey said: "The Council has now rejected a £2.5m investment and I believe that this was based solely on the fact that Dungiven is a Nationalist area.

"The excuse that the Council could not afford the £300,000 needed in match funding rings hollow as maintaining and repairing the existing facility will cost more in the long term.

"The decision sends out a bad message that sectarianism is a motivating factor in decisions by the Council and will deprive residents from a much needed sporting facility.

"Unionists need to move on and realise that the days of domination are over and not coming back and work together with their Nationalist neighbours in providing the best facilities for the entire community."

Ratepayers In Antrim Being Treated 'Unfairly' - Alliance

Alliance Councillor Neil Kelly has again raised the issue of Sunday opening hours at Council facilities across Antrim, calling for fair provision across the Newtownabbey and Antrim Borough at the latest meeting of the operations committee.

The local Councillor has consistently raised the issue over the past five years, adding it is 'simply unfair' to people living in Antrim who have access to limited services compared to elsewhere in Newtownabbey.

"The services provided are so different," said Councillor Neil Kelly.

"If you live in Newtownabbey you can get up on a Sunday morning, go to the gym at the Valley Leisure Centre at 9am, go home and work in the garden and take the rubbish to Brushlee centre all before the Antrim Forum has opened its doors at 2pm.

"It's also strange that in Antrim you can use the council golf course at 8am on a Sunday, finish your eighteen holes go into the council owned clubhouse and have a few pints, yet the Council-operated recycling centre remains closed all day.

"This is unacceptable to the ratepayer in Antrim and is not providing value for money. The Valley leisure centre in Newtownabbey is open many more hours per week than the Antrim Forum, including 5 hours longer every Sunday and the recycling centre in Newtownabbey is open for over 8 hours every Sunday."