Other NI News In Brief

Bangor In The Swim

Sports Minister Gregory Campbell has announced that North Down Borough Council is to receive up to £15 million towards the capital costs of building a 50m pool in Bangor. Speaking during a visit to Valentine Playing Fields, the site for the new pool and leisure complex, the Minister said: "I am pleased that we have now reached this point which will allow the project to move forward to full planning and development stage. This will be Northern Ireland's first olympic-sized swimming pool; it is also the first project in the Elite Facilities Capital Programme which will provide new and upgraded sports facilities across a range of sports in Northern Ireland over the next few years. As a regional centre of excellence, it will be a state-of-the-art facility to be enjoyed by all the people of Northern Ireland."

'No' Banbridge Tesco

A massive Tesco development planned for Banbridge, has got the axe from planners, amid strong opposition from local traders. The proposed store, which would have been the largest in Ireland, faced continued campaigning from locals prior to the Planning Service's announcement. The super-store was to form part of the ever-growing Bridgewater Park retail complex, but now the 130,000 square foot build will reportedly be abandoned.

Co Down Primary To Close

Conlig Primary School will close at the end of August according to NI Education Minister Caitríona Ruane. She has announced the decision today and said: "Conlig Primary School has served the local community for many years and will leave a good legacy. I recognise the excellent work it has carried out. I believe, however, that the long-term educational interests of the children concerned will be best served in a larger school, where they will be able to avail of a wider range of educational opportunities. There are sufficient places at nearby primary schools that can provide the children with these opportunities."

Sky High Belfast

Belfast developers had their eyes to the skies today, as Stormont Minister Margaret Ritchie helped lay the foundations for the city's tallest building. The £75 million project, located on Donegall Quay, will become the newest focal point on the banks of the River Lagan. The developer behind the tower, Karl Properties, has named the 28-storey build Obel. It is expected to stand 88.31 metre high when completed, in two years time. With her hands firmly on the foundation stone, Social Development Minister Ritchie said the new building "will undoubtedly become an iconic landmark for Belfast".

Ferry Falters

'Fast' ferry operator Stena Line has announced it is slowing down its high-speed ferry between Belfast and Stranraer route - apparently to save money on fuel. The company has already slowed down the ferry it operates between the Welsh port of Holyhead and Dun Laoghaire, near Dublin. The crossing to Scotland will now take 14 minutes longer than its previous 105 minutes. Nigel Tilson from Stena said passengers seemed to understand the issues about increased fuel prices.

Bridge Man Critical

A 38-year-old man has been left in a critical condition after being found with serious head injuries in Monkstown. He was found just after midnight yesterday below the bridge at Devenish Drive, Newtownabbey police said. A PSNI spokeswoman said yesterday evening that he remained in a critical condition in hospital and that detectives were appealing for witnesses.

(BMcC)