A teenager was caught on CCTV inhaling laughing gas from a balloon shortly before using his car to deliberately hit a mother-of-three. 

Kian Bateman, 19, was high on nitrous oxide – laughing gas – before he got into his car and targeted Shelley Davies, 38, outside a Cardiff nightclub on September 27 last year. 

Ms Davies had been at the 4th Glamorgan Homeguard Club in Caerau, Cardiff, for a music event by reggae artist and DJ General Levy with her partner, David Bratcher, 40, before she was run over by Bateman. 

She was taken to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, but died from her injuries weeks later on October 18. 

Mr Bratcher was also seriously injured in the incident, which happened after a ‘disagreement’ between Bateman’s brother and Mr Bratcher, Cardiff Crown Court heard. 

During the encounter, Ms Davies ended up on the ground. It was then that Bateman accelerated his car and drove towards Mr Bratcher, not seeing Ms Davies on the floor. 

The court heard that Bateman drove ‘straight over’ Ms Davies at around 10mph, then went on to hit Mr Bratcher, who was thrown onto the bonnet of the SEAT Ibiza, which belonged to Bateman’s mother. 

Prosecutor Dean Pulling KC, along with Michael Jones KC, read out victim impact statements in court. 

Kian Bateman (pictured) was sentenced to life in prison on Friday, and must serve a minimum of 17 years 

Shelley Davies (pictured) died on October 18 last year in hospital weeks after the attack 

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Reading on behalf of Mr Bratcher, Mr Pulling said that the experience had been ‘the most traumatic I’ve ever had’. 

He continued: ‘[Shelley] was a huge part of our lives, she held our family together. Losing her in such a sudden and violent way has changed our lives forever. 

‘I feel a constant sense of loss and sadness.’ 

Bateman was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and murdering Ms Davies following a trial in May. 

He was sentenced on Friday to life in prison and must serve a minimum of 17 years before being released on licence. 

He was cleared of the attempted murder of Mr Bratcher, but was sentenced to five years for the injuries caused to him, which will run concurrently. 

Bateman was also banned from driving for 21 years and 109 days. 

Detective Superintendent Mark O’Shea from South Wales Police said: ‘On September 27, 2025, Shelley Davies, a mother-of-three, went on a night out to watch live music at a local social club with her partner David Bratcher, but tragically never went home after suffering fatal injuries. 

‘The court found that Kian Bateman deliberately drove at Shelley and seriously injured David. 

‘Shelley was loved dearly, and is greatly missed, by her family and friends. Our thoughts remain with them today as they have been throughout this horrendous ordeal. 

‘We would like to thank all the witnesses who assisted the investigation, the Caerau community, as well as the prosecution team.’ 

Sentencing Kian Bateman, Judge Mary Stacey commended the investigation team and said: ‘I want to pay tribute to the first responders who attended at the scene and dealt so professionally with what they found there. 

‘They did what they could to make Mrs Davies comfortable and to treat her in difficult circumstances. 

‘This team of detectives approached this awful case with compassion and professionalism. 

‘I wish to thank all the police officers and civilian staff who investigated the case and for their detective work and watched and rewatched the CCTV footage that they were able to retrieve, so that this case could be brought to justice.’

A swimmer was bitten on the foot in a suspected shark attack Friday at a New York City beach, prompting authorities to temporarily close the beach.

The attack at Jones Beach comes a day after multiple shark sightings were reported at other New York City and Long Island beaches.

The person was swimming at Jones Beach State Park Field 6 when they suffered lacerations on their foot, the New York City Parks Department said.

Lifeguards responded immediately and an ambulance took the victim to a hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries, according to the department.

Swimming was suspended while officials searched for sharks and other dangerous marine life. After an hour of searching, none were found and swimming was allowed to resume, though restricted to wading up to swimmers’ waists, the department said.

New York City officials on Thursday reported multiple shark sightings at Rockaway Beach in Queens and imposed intermittent beach closures. New York City Emergency Management also issued a warning advising of the closures and urging beachgoers to follow the guidance from lifeguards.

Farther east, lifeguards at a Long Island beach spotted a shark Thursday in the water off Point Lookout and immediately ordered people out of the ocean. Point Lookout and neighboring Hempstead beaches were also temporarily closed to swimming after the sighting.

The beach closures come as record-breaking heat continues to grip the eastern United States, drawing large crowds to area beaches.

Shark sightings have become more common as authorities increase the use of drones to search for them in the water. But while sharks are commonly found in the waters off the United States, shark bites are rare, experts say.

Gavin Naylor, director of the Florida Museum of Natural History’s shark research program, told The Associated Press that there are between 60 and 80 known unprovoked bites worldwide each year. It’s extremely rare that two or more people are bitten in close proximity.

Taylor Swift has long had a girl squad of epic proportions, although it has gone through massive changes over the years, leading fans to wonder who exactly would be in her bridal party.

As her Madison Square Garden wedding celebration to Travis Kelce draws closer by the minute, the singer is surrounded by her carefully chosen crew, including many of the A-listers she has been close with for more than a decade. 

Now, the Daily Mail can exclusively reveal who is rumored to be standing by Swift’s side during her wedding celebration – and some names certainly stand out. 

A source close to the Swift and Kelce camp told the Daily Mail that Swift has chosen Cara Delevingne, Sabrina Carpenter, Selena Gomez and Gigi Hadid as bridesmaids. 

While the pop superstar has kept every single detail of the celebration under wraps, from the gown to the guest list, the Daily Mail understands that these members of her inner circle will be part of the festivities. 

One of the longtime friends said to be standing up next to Swift is top model Delevingne, 33, whose friendship with the singer dates back more than a decade. The pair met in November 2013 when Swift performed as a musical guest at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.

In fact, Delevingne was a member of the original Bad Blood squad during the 1989 era, proving that some members of the squad are still going strong. 

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One of the longtime friends said to be standing up next to Swift is top model Cara Delevingne, 33, whose friendship with the singer dates back more than a decade

Swift’s longtime best friend Selena Gomez, 33, is expected to have a prominent role, which is unsurprising, as the Cruel Summer singer was part of her wedding party

The actress, who has openly struggled with addiction over the years, has remained one of Swift’s closest confidantes since their fashion show meeting. 

Fans have seen the British star, who appeared in the movie Paper Towns, attending her concerts (most recently at the Wembley Stadium shows), celebrating birthdays by her side and cheering on Kelce’s Kansas City Chiefs games. 

Swift’s longtime best friend Selena Gomez, 33, is expected to have a prominent role, which is unsurprising, as the Cruel Summer singer was part of Gomez’s wedding party. Swift even gave a moving speech that made Gomez cry. 

The dynamic duo first met in 2008 while both dating members of the Jonas Brothers (Swift was seeing Joe while Gomez was linked to Nick) and have remained inseparable ever since. 

Over the years, Gomez has defended Swift publicly and described the singer as one of her closest friends. The Wizards of Waverly Place actress even confirmed that Swift wrote the sweet song Dorothea about their friendship. 

According to the insider, another likely bridesmaid is Gigi Hadid, 31, who became close with Swift after joining her infamous Bad Blood squad. 

The supermodel has vacationed with Swift, attended her famed Fourth of July parties and has publicly supported Kelce, saying she was ‘over the moon’ about their relationship. 

According to the insider, another likely bridesmaid is Gigi Hadid who became close with Swift after joining her infamous Bad Blood squad. Above, Swift with Hadid and Delevingne

Perhaps the most surprising member of the rumored lineup is new friend and mentee Sabrina Carpenter, 27, who is about a decade younger than Swift, 36

Perhaps the most surprising member of the rumored lineup is new friend and mentee Sabrina Carpenter, 27, who is about a decade younger than Swift, 36. 

Carpenter has been considered a ‘Tay-daughter’ by fans, as the pop star has publicly mentored her and she appears to be following in her footsteps. Their relationship was secured when the Disney alum joined the record-breaking Eras Tour as an opening act. 

Swift has repeatedly praised the Girl Meets World actress and they even collaborated together on the title track of her most recent album, The Life of a Showgirl.

Although Swift has not confirmed her bridesmaids, the lineup is also expected to include both her A-list squad and longtime friends, like her high school best friend Abigail Anderson. Swift was said to be the maid of honor in Anderson’s Nashville wedding.  

While there has been no confirmation, other potential bridal party participants include Lena Dunham, the Haim sisters and celebrity stylist Ashley Avignone. 

One former friend who once looked like she would be Maid of Honor and is now scrambling for an invitation is Blake Lively. 

Eagle-eyed Swifties are waiting to see if the Gossip Girl alum attends the A-list bash at all. 

The Alncom Charity Football Family Fun Day returns to Alnwick Town Football Club on Saturday, July 4, for its fourth year.

In a special message shared on TikTok, Mr Shearer said: “Hello everyone, Alan Shearer here, I just want to send my very best wishes to the Charity Family Football Day at Alnwick on Saturday, it starts at 11’o’clock and its free so good luck everyone and enjoy the football, I heard it’s on in the bar.”

The annual event has already raised thousands of pounds for good causes in Northumberland.

This year’s event will support Northumberland Dog Rescue and the Alnwick & District Round Table, with all proceeds going towards their volunteer-led work.

Visitors can enjoy Slaters Funfair, a bouncy pirate ship, football games, children’s activities, and gourmet street food.

Alncom’s Charity Football Family Fun Day (Image: Alncom)

An all-day bar will be open, broadcasting the World Cup live.

Other attractions include a charity raffle with prizes such as

• A £500 Hays Travel voucher
• An overnight stay at The Bailiffgate Hotel
• Luxury Selfridges and Boots and beauty hampers
• Power tools
• Beauty treatments
• Family days out
• A four-ball at Alnwick Golf Club

Alncom’s Charity Football Family Fun Day (Image: Alncom)

Lawrie Stevenson, director of Alncom, said: “Our Football Family Fun Day has become the highlight of our community calendar.

“It’s a fantastic day out for families while raising money for two brilliant local charities.

“We hope people will come along, enjoy the entertainment, support the raffle and help us make this our biggest fundraising event yet.”

Alncom’s Charity Football Family Fun Day (Image: Alncom)

He added: “This year we have included a children’s raffle as well as our famous main raffle with the poster designed by a pupil from St Paul’s School.

“This is the fourth year running our charity Football Fun Day and we are very grateful to everyone who has donated prizes and experiences.

“It’s a chance for our team to give back.

“Please come along, empty those piggy banks and enjoy a relaxed family day.”

Last year’s event raised around £6,000 for a local hospice.

This year’s football tournament will see teams including William Hackett, World 7, Alncom, and MKM compete for the 2026 Alncom Football Cup.

The children’s tombola will feature prizes donated by Lady Andrea Wylie and Claire Barber PR.

Claire Barber said; “I’m still pinching myself that legend and football hero Alan Shearer took the time to share this supportive video for the charity fun day. What a hero.”

Gates open at 11am and entry is free for all ages.

World Cup organisers FIFA face changing their knockout round schedule on the fly with inclement weather due to affect multiple round of 16 matches across Mexico and the United States

Brazil’s World Cup round of 16 clash with Norway could be pushed back by an hour due to concerns over the heat, according to Goal Brasil reporter Raisa Simplicio. A spokesperson for the Brazilian Football Federation told The Athletic: “A change is possible, and we are waiting on FIFA”.

The fixture is currently set to get underway at 4pm local time (9pm BST). However, a potential alteration to England‘s tie against Mexico could see both matches overlap.

A 4-hour gap between the two games had originally been planned. Now, though, the match in Mexico City is reportedly being moved up by six hours.

Should that game be brought forward while Brazil vs Norway remains unchanged, the two matches could clash if England vs Mexico goes to extra time. FIFA organises knockout stage fixtures to avoid any overlap, as in the group stage, except for the final matches, which kick off simultaneously.

The governing body does have the authority to make such amendments. Tournament regulations confirm that FIFA “has the right to cancel, reschedule or relocate one or more matches (or the entire FIFA World Cup 26) for any reason at its sole discretion, including as a result of force majeure or due to health, safety or security concerns.”

These two fixtures would be far from the first to be affected by the weather at this World Cup. Mexico’s previous match against Ecuador in the round of 32 was delayed by an hour while officials waited for storms to clear.

France have also been caught up in the disruption, with their group stage clash against Iraq pushed back two hours due to thunderstorms in Philadelphia. Further interruptions could yet follow.

They are scheduled to face Paraguay in their round of 16 tie at the same venue on Saturday. This time, temperatures are forecast to hit 38°C in the city.

Yet, there is currently no indication of any changes to the kick-off time, which remains at 10pm BST. New Jersey and New York also have weather warnings in place due to the intense heat this weekend.

However, temperatures are expected to ease on Sunday compared to Friday and Saturday. Measures around heat and heavy rain are unclear, but could be tested during these knockout stages as it heats up this summer across North America.

Thunderstorms are the one scenario where this tournament has clearly defined safety protocols in place. Lightning strikes within eight miles of the match trigger an automatic half-hour delay.

Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package

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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.

Stockton has achieved a spotless record in a major new analysis by Cairn Catering Engineers, with not a single food business in the region rated two or below, putting it among the top performers nationally for cleanliness and safety.

The study used open data from the Food Standards Agency and Food Standards Scotland, covering over 485,000 premises across the UK.

The average national hygiene rating is 4.65 out of five, with 78 per cent of outlets awarded the top mark of five and 97 per cent rated at least three.

Elsewhere in Teesside and in County Durham, the picture is strong too.

Hartlepool has just 0.14 per cent of outlets scoring two or under, while Darlington’s figure of 1.68 per cent still compares well with many parts of the country.

Middlesbrough is the local exception, with almost 4 per cent of premises rated two or below, leaving it behind its neighbours but still broadly in line with national averages.

On a national scale, the North East as a whole ranks fourth out of 11 UK regions, ahead of Yorkshire, the North West and London, putting the region on the map for good hygiene standards.

The study also highlights which kinds of food businesses are most likely to fall short, with takeaways and sandwich shops performing worst, and schools, colleges and universities emerging as the strongest.

Researchers found a clear link between low hygiene scores and deprivation, with almost 6% of premises in the most deprived areas rated two or below, compared with less than 2% in the least deprived areas.

New and independent businesses also struggle to keep up with more established ones, but overall the analysis suggests that where a business is based has a strong influence on its chances of achieving a higher score.

If you are thinking of opening a new food business in the North East, Stockton could be a great place to set up shop.

Further information on the study can be found on Cairn’s website: UK Food Hygiene Ratings: How Every Area Scores | Cairn

England‘s World Cup last-16 clash with Mexico is set to remain at its original kick-off time, according to the Mexican FA, following a shambolic few hours of confusion.

Thomas Tuchel and his squad took off for Mexico City not knowing whether their last-16 showdown would be brought forward six hours thanks to the threat of severe thunderstorms. 

Confusion reigned after it emerged that FIFA were in discussions over whether to shift the kick-off from 1am on Monday to 7pm on Sunday night, or potentially even earlier, thanks to the threat of thunderstorms in the area.

As fans scrambled to discover whether travel plans needed ripping up, Daily Mail Sport reported that the FA were stunned at the suggestion of the change just 48 hours out from the originally slated kick-off.

Such a move would have been a major boost for those at home, and for pubs, given the unsociable hours many braced themselves for just to watch the match on a workday.

England landed awaiting official confirmation with Tuchel and his players wary that they had already made meticulous plans for Sunday’s schedule, such as meal times and activation, which may have needed to be thrown out of the window.

Prior to an official announcement, England midfielder Morgan Rogers dismissed the importance over the kick-off time possibly changing: ‘It’s just another obstacle to overcome. We’ll take it how it is.

‘Whatever the task is in front of us, whatever problem we face or different thing that we think might be a bit difficult, we’re just going to attack full front.’

It would be brilliant news for fans in England, who faced the prospect of watching at 1am

Mexican media claim that the match at the Azteca Stadium will be brought forward six hours

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If the game is moved, England will embrace the ‘VUCA’ principles.

Senior staff have spoken about the acronym that stands for ‘Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity’, and the challenges that have to be negotiated. This is an approach adopted by the US Army and will be relayed to the squad in the next 24 hours.

Asked for his reaction to the news, England’s Marcus Rashford dismissed suggestions of it causing major problems for Tuchel’s side.

‘For us, it’s the same,’ Rashford said last night.

‘How we prepare for the game has to remain the same. We have to be focused. We have to be ready for anything, and I think it’s a strength of the group – the players, the staff – we’re ready for whatever challenges get thrown at us. Obviously, it’s not ideal, but also it doesn’t matter.’

A move towards a midday kick-off would also see a slight rise in temperature although, at 22C, conditions would be cool at the Azteca.

An earlier start – at noon local time – would also reduce the amount of time Thomas Tuchel’s players are subjected to altitude, with the match played at 7,300ft above sea level.

As things stood tonight, FA insiders said they were ‘surprised’ to hear of the news through Mexican media rather than from FIFA itself.

Attempts to get to the bottom were being made while some were en-route to the airport.

News of the reported kick-off shift went down particularly poorly with the Mexican team, with manager Javier Aguirre particularly incensed,

‘It’s like a kick in the gut; now everything has to change,’ he told reporters on Friday. 

‘It’s not that all the work is going down the drain, but almost, because you’re swallowing up six hours that you had scheduled. I don’t like it at all. Obviously, we’ll abide by what FIFA says, but neither I nor my players like it.

The tournament has already seen matches delayed by the weather but kick-off times have remained the same. In this instance, the potential duration of the storms has triggered discussions over whether bringing the match forward is the only practical solution.

It would be just the latest logistical adaptation for England prior to their impending visit to Mexico City.

Officials are planning a so-called ‘ring of steel’ around England’s Mexico City hotel – in an attempt to prevent a repeat of the raucous scenes that marred Ecuador’s visit.

Cars, fog horns, fireworks and loud music triggered a miserable night’s sleep for Mexico’s last opponents – and a complaint to FIFA.

However, it is understood that a series of measures are expected to be put in place to try and ensure Tuchel and his players do not face similar problems on the eve of their last-16 battle.

Keir Starmer has been criticised for a U-turn on pub licensing hours for the England match

The original kick-off time of 6pm local, 1am in England, caused major logistical problems for pubs eager to show the game having had great success for England matches during the tournament so far.  

After a drawn out Thursday, departing PM Keir Starmer made a significant u-turn to allow pubs to remain open until 5am to facilitate showing the last-16 match. 

But Starmer was today accused of making his U-turn on opening pubs for England’s World Cup game against Mexico too late after he bowed to popular opinion.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council criticised the timing of the Prime Minister’s move to let pubs stay open until 5am on Monday for the match after the Home Office initially resisted calls from inside government to amend licensing hours.

His late announcement means forces are now having to adapt plans and take officers away from community policing, with more than 1,000 venues staying open late.

Chief Constable Mark Roberts, NPCC lead for football policing, and Acting Chief Constable Scott Green, lead for alcohol licensing, criticised the ‘late announcement’ and asked fans to be considerate to others and drink ‘sensibly’ during the game.

Should FIFA ratify the decision to bring the match forward by six hours, it would be the very first game of the 2026 World Cup to be rearranged to a different time.

A large police presence is in place ready for England’s arrival in Mexico City later today

Officials have been working to create a ‘ring of steel’ around the team hotel in Mexico City

News of the alleged time change emerged late on Friday night when Andres Vaca, a commentator for Mexican channel TUDN, and newspaper El Universal claimed sources close to the Mexican national team were aware of a change.

England will already have to deal with the altitude in Mexico City and any change towards a midday kick-off local time would see the match take place at the day’s peak temperature.

The decision was made not to travel to Mexico City immediately after their round of 32 win over DR Congo in Atlanta, due to concerns about spying. 

Tuchel and his players returned to their Kansas City base following their dramatic 2-1 victory over DR Congo on Wednesday night, rather than heading straight to their next World Cup destination.

And Daily Mail Sport understands that one of the main reasons for doing so is to ensure Tuchel can set out his tactical blueprint and formation in a secure environment, away from prying eyes.

Throughout the tournament England have been returning to their HQ close to the middle of the US. One of the factors behind the decision to be based in Kansas City is logistical, and the fact that it means they do not have to face any long flights.

However, it is understood that Tuchel is adamant that his plans will not be leaked and that vital preparations including team shape can be held in the most well-guarded place possible.

The possibility of others spying on England has been a key part of planning and it is understood that the view within the camp is that a trip to Mexico City comes with increased risks. 

The World Cup last sixteen tie involving England could now be moved to a different kick-off time of 7pm British Summer Time (BST).

It’s because of the risk of thunderstorms, according to local media reports. This hasn’t been confirmed or denied yet.

Under safety rules, games face an automatic 30-minute delay if lightning strikes within eight miles of the stadium, with the clock resetting each time there is a new strike.

Multiple schools across the North West have been anticipating the original 1am kickoff, pushing their start times until later in the morning.

Pubs have even gone as far to draft extra staff in, so they can screen the match in the early hours.

England playmaker Morgan Rogers said of the potential change: “It’s just another obstacle to overcome. We’ll be ready regardless of the time.

“Earlier the better because you want to play. There is enough thinking about what is going to happen and the build-up – you just want to play the game.

“Getting that adrenaline out there will help us and get us going and playing. We’re looking forward to it whatever the time is.

“I’m not concerned about it, but won’t be happy if it wakes me up, I’ll be honest. We’ll deal with it as best as possible. It’s another obstacle to get over.”

The match was originally scheduled for an evening start at the Estadio Azteca, but forecasts of severe weather disruption have triggered urgent discussions about rescheduling.

FIFA has not confirmed reports that the kick-off time could change, saying only that safety considerations are being assessed.

It may mean you’ll not have to stay up until Monday morning, when the match is supposed to start at 1am.

England team-mate Marcus Rashford also downplayed the impact of a potential kick-off change.

“I think for us it’s the same, how we prepare for the game,” the forward said. “It has to be the same, we have to be focused, we have to be ready for anything.

“I think it’s one strength of the group, everyone included, the players, the staff, we’re ready for whatever challenges get thrown at us. Obviously it’s not ideal, but also it doesn’t matter.”

A kick-off alteration would only add to what England boss Tuchel knew would be “a lot, a lot, a lot of obstacles” awaiting them in Mexico.

Earlier in the tournament, severe weather had already caused disruption, with matches delayed.

One fixture involving France was halted for two hours because of storm conditions, highlighting the ongoing risk facing organisers as the competition reaches its knockout stage.

With England preparing for a high-pressure knockout match against Mexico, attention is now focused not only on the opposition but also on whether conditions will allow the game to start as planned.

If moved, the kick-off could shift to a midday local time slot, creating a very different viewing experience for fans in the United Kingdom and changing the rhythm of one of the tournament’s most anticipated games.

The Football Association has yet to receive confirmation, despite the fact that kick-off time would be less than 48 hours away. FIFA has been approached for comment.

This is a breaking news story – we will bring you more updates as they come.

An old woodland was saved in Newtownards, while eye-watering sums are to be spent to restore a statue in Comber

Ards and North Down Borough Council is winding down for the summer. While work in the background at the Church Street offices in Newtownards never stops, there will only be four meetings for elected representatives in July and August, two full council meetings and two Planning Committee meetings.

But June was a busy month, and saw the reveal of youthful first and second citizens, a victory for locals in saving an old woodland from developers, and an approval to spend eye-watering sums to restore a statue of a Napoleonic war hero.

Here is your latest round up of Ards and North Down council matters so far this summer:

Ards and North Down goes for youth as it votes new Lord Mayor and deputy

The start of the summer saw Ards and North Down Borough Council elect two of its youngest representatives into the posts of first and deputy first citizens.

At the annual meeting of the council on June 3, the chamber at Bangor Castle agreed UUP Councillor Craig Blaney and DUP Councillor James Cochrane respectively to the roles of Mayor and Deputy Mayor for the incoming term of office.

At the AGM, Mayor Blaney outlined his priorities for the year-long term, stating he wanted to champion “enterprise, entrepreneurship and ambition across Ards and North Down, while supporting local businesses, encouraging young people and promoting the borough as a place of opportunity and potential.”

Read more here

Jobs boost as new Iceland store approved for Co Down

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A new Iceland foodstore was approved for Bangor in North Down at the council’s June Planning Committee meeting.

Councillors approved an application for retail use for a long vacant existing unit, as well as retrospective extension for storage, at retail warehouse unit 1, Lesley Bloomfield Shopping Centre and Retail Park, South Circular Road, Bangor.

The development will bring a £1.5million investment to Bangor, will initially create 15 construction jobs, and later approximately 40 to 50 permanent new jobs at the store. The permanent jobs are estimated to bring £4.2 million in Gross Value Added per year to the area.

Read more here

Council looks at fast-tracking UDR cemetery memorial in Bangor despite requests failing four times

Local elected representatives agreed to look at making a memorial bench for the Ulster Defence Regiment in a North Down cemetery, after a local association failed four times in getting a bench plaque using the local council scheme.

Councillors at a committee meeting at Ards and North Down Borough Council in mid-June approved a notice of motion submitted by Independent unionist Councillors Wesley Irvine and Steven Irvine, who represent Bangor and Newtownards respectively.

The North Down branch of the Regimental Association of the UDR has failed on four occasions to get a memorial bench at the cemetery. Ards and North Down Borough Council operates a strict annual memorial bench scheme with a quota of 20 new benches per year.

Applications typically open on April 1st and are allocated on a highly competitive, first-come, first-served basis. The council motion could effectively fast-track the UDR memorial past the normal policy.

Read more here

Old County Down woodland saved from housing development by community

The Woodland Trust declared victory for a local County Down community after a long-standing wood was rescued from the threat of a housing development.

The Woodland Trust Northern Ireland welcomed a decision by the Planning Appeals Commission in mid June to block plans for five detached houses at the site of Tullynagardy Wood in Newtownards.

Last October, the controversial planning application to build five upmarket houses at woodland was rejected by elected representatives at the Ards and North Down Borough Council Planning Committee. The proposed site was on land beside the Crawfordsburn Road on the outskirts of Newtownards.

Despite elected representatives rejecting the application, the developers then went to the Planning Appeals Commission for the decision to be overturned. The commissioner upheld the council’s decision to reject the application, and dismissed the appeal.

Read more here

Council to spend nearly 100K to restore statue of Napoleonic war hero

Ards and North Down Borough Council will spend around £100,000 to restore a Victorian statue of a famous Ulster soldier in a County Down town.

Council officers recommended elected representatives grant approval for the commencement of Phase 2 works to the Rollo Gillespie Monument, Comber, funded from the £90,000 included in the rates for 2026/27.

Councillors at the Environment Committee meeting, held in mid-June in Newtownards, agreed to the recommendation for ratepayers to cover the bill, following information that officials had failed to get any external funding for the project. Around £15,000 has already been spent on Phase One of the restoration.

Read more here

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