Other News In Brief

UUP Expresses Concern At Perceived Imbalance In Troubles Legacy Cases

Ulster Unionist MLA Tom Elliott has met with the Northern Ireland Attorney General, Dame Brenda King, to express concerns at the perceived imbalance in Troubles legacy cases being directed for inquests.

Mr Elliott said: "There needs to be clear recognition of the historical facts that 90% of the Troubles murders and killings were carried out by terrorists.

"It seems that the majority of Attorney General referrals to Coroner Inquests appear to have allegations against the security services.

"I have requested details of the number of cases that have been referred to Dame Brenda King and the number she has directed for Coroner Inquests.

"Many families of murdered security forces members are extremely annoyed and frustrated at the lack of action and progress to find answers for them in relation to the murder of their family member.

"The security force members provided a role to support and protect the entire community in Northern Ireland, living with a personal threat at all times, those who were murdered, whether in the line of duty or off duty, sometimes at home with their family, deserve to have every available avenue pursued to bring justice for those horrendous acts of murder."

Plans For Mixed-Use Development In Lisburn Refused

The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has refused planning permission for a miixed-use development in Blaris, Lisburn.

Chair of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council's Regeneration and Growth Committee, Councillor John Laverty, has said he was "extremely disappointed" the plans were turned down.

He said: "“The development at Blaris represents a £16 million investment in road infrastructure which would unlock wider strategic investment in the local and regional economy.

"The proposal includes plans for 1300 dwellings and 754,000 square feet of commercial floor space as well as the M1 to Knockmore link road, riverside parkland and ancillary works.

"Having received correspondence from DfI’s Planning Group, confirming it had issued a 'notice of opinion' to refuse planning permission for this development, elected members will now take time to consider its contents and our next steps."

NI Water Hosts Tour Of Ards North Wastewater Treament Works

NI Water has hosted a tour of the recently completed Ards North Wastewater Treatment Works in Bllywalter.

The firm welcomed Kellie Armstrong MLA and Councillor Patricia Morgan to the plant and Mark Consiglia, Wastewater Assets Area Manager – East, led the tour. He gave an overview of the wider £18 million wastewater project, which will help improve the quality of bathing waters along part of the Ards Peninsula.

The project, which got underway in May 2021, included the construction of new wastewater pumping stations and pipelines to rationalise and upgrade the wastewater infrastructure in the Carrowdore, Ballywhiskin and Ballywalter catchments.

The new treatment facility has been designed to treat all wastewater flows from the villages of Carrowdore, Ballywhiskin and Ballywalter - as well as local caravan parks - to strict environmental standards before discharging the treated effluent out to sea via a new long sea outfall pipe, constructed off the coast at Ballyferris.