Other News In Brief

Police Issue Appeal Over Hit & Run

Police have appealed for witnesses following a hit and run collision between a delivery van and a car on Tuesday 03 December.

The crash happened at 7.25am on the M2 Foreshore, where the M5 joins the M2 Motorway city bound. The collision involved a white parcel delivery van and a red Volkswagen Up. The delivery van failed to stop and police are now hoping to identify the driver.

Any motorists with dash cam footage or registration details of the van are urged to contact Police on 101 quoting reference CC2019120300220.

Green Light For Housing Schemes In L'Derry And Strabane

Housing provision across the Derry City and Strabane District Council area is set to be boosted with the progression of four new projects.

The Council's Planning Committee approved plans to replace an existing hall at the former Victoria Hall on L'Derry's Spencer Road into a new social housing development comprising 17 apartments.

Plans will also move forward to demolish existing buildings on a site at Main Street in Eglinton to make way for a three-storey apartment complex with nine units.

Approval was granted for seven new dwellings at Lower Galliagh Road in L'Derry, as well as 17 new dwellings at lands at Hely Burn Crescent in Douglas Bridge, Co Tyrone.

These new developments are expected to enhance the availability of good quality new housing for buyers.

Head of Planning with Derry City and Strabane District Council, Maura Fox said Council remains committed to alleviating the growing pressure on housing provision in Derry and Strabane, and improving the quality of new developments as they progress through the planning system, a priority of the draft Local Development Plan that was launched last week.

Council Recognises Summer Scheme Volunteers

Ards and North Down Borough Council has recognised the valuable contribution that volunteers made to the Council-led summer schemes over the past two years by holding a celebratory volunteer recognition event in Clandeboye Estate.

The schemes were delivered in partnership with local clubs and community centres and around 60 people gave up their free time to assist, equating to around £40,000 worth of volunteer time.

The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Alderman Bill Keery, said: "On behalf of the Council, I want to say 'thank you' to all of the volunteers who so willingly gave up their free time. They helped to provide entertainment and joy to hundreds of children across the borough, ensuring that the 2018 and 2019 summer schemes were a huge success."

In 2019, nine different summer schemes were hosted across different venues in Ballygowan, Bangor, Holywood and Portavogie while volunteers from Kilcooley Women's Centre, Breezemount Community Association, Millisle Youth Forum and Ballyphilip Youth Club (Portaferry) ensured it was a success.

They gave more than 500 children, aged between five and 11, the opportunity to take part in forest walks and bug hunts, cookery, beach walks, dancing, arts and crafts plus lots of games such as street hockey and bowling.

The Mayor added: "It was great to see so many happy, smiling children at the schemes and the Council really appreciates the work that each and every volunteer has put into their roles. This recognition event was our way of saying thank you to all of them."



(JG/CM)