Formula one star Lewis Hamilton has been romancing reality star Kim Kardashian since the beginning of the year – and he appears to be making a great impression on her wider family

Lewis Hamilton’s descent into the inner circle of the Kardashian clan took another step over the weekend as he joined Kylie Jenner to help her celebrate her birthday. The 41-year-old Formula One ace stunned fans this year when he struck up a romance with thrice-divorced mother-of-four Kim Kardashian.

And now it appears he is fully immersing himself in Kim’s family, as he joined her younger sister, Kylie, the daughter of divorced former partners Kris and Caitlyn Jenner, to celebrate her 29th birthday. Kylie took to social media over the weekend to share highlights from her celebrations.

And it appears to be receiving a personal high-speed drive from the seven-time Formula One World Drivers’ Champion. A video clip showed two people within an all-terrain four-wheeler positioned beside a giant dirt track.

The occupants inside were unrecognisable because they were both wearing crash helmets; however, a telltale tag revealed that Lewis was behind the wheel, while a screaming onlooker identified Kylie as the other occupant, yelling: “Birthday ride!”

The pair were then shown speeding off into the distance with the all-terrain vehicle eventually becoming engulfed in a cloud of dust. Other photos and video clips from Kylie’s celebrations showed her enjoying herself with her family in Hawaii. She posed alongside older sister Kendall, 30, while notorious gossip outlet Deuxmoi reported that the ladies’ respective boyfriends, Jacob Elordi and Timothée Chalamet, were also in attendance – even though Kylie didn’t feature them in her birthday Instagram dump.

Kardashian matriarch Kris Jenner shared a post of her own, writing about her youngest child: “Happy 29 my girl!” – along with a string of emojis. Older sister Khloe shared a lengthy message online on Kylie’s actual birthday, 10 August.

The reality star wrote at the time: “Happy birthday to my world–class poker player baby sister. Kylie, I swear in another lifetime I was your mother. I don’t care how old you are, you will forever be my baby.”

She continued: “I know I’ve loved you long before this life, and I’ll love you long after it. My sister by blood, my best friend by choice, and one of the greatest loves of my life. I know in every lifetime, every reality, every realm, we will always find one another.”

Khloe went on: “Watching you become the woman you are makes me so incredibly proud and emotional. The mother, friend, sister, daughter, businesswoman you are inspires me endlessly. You light up spaces you aren’t even in by the mention of your name.

“You’re hysterical, gentle, loving, lighthearted, patient, and so much fun and yes, obviously the most gorgeous, but your heart will forever be the most beautiful thing about you.”

Reports of Kim and Lewis dating first emerged in February this year. Kim was previously married to rap star Kanye West, with whom she shares four children.

She was also previously married to basketball player Kris Humphries from 2011 until 2013, and prior to this, she was married to musician Damon Thomas from 2000 until 2004.

This month, a source close to the Kardashians told US Weekly that Kim’s romance with Lewis was the “real deal”, insisting that the couple “are still very serious and committed to their relationship.”

The source added: “It is the real deal for Kim and something she hasn’t experienced in a long time.” And Lewis himself last month shared photos and videos of himself with Kim writing “hold your people close”.

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A consultation on the Executive’s public sector Artifical Intelligence Strategy is open

An Executive report has said that Northern Ireland could develop “green data centres” as more need to be built to sustain plans for increased use of AI in the public and private sector.

Northern Ireland currently has nine data centres with an Executive report on an Artificial Intelligence Strategy for NI saying there is a need for the creation of new ones in order to accommodate public sector AI projects and the datasets needed by businesses developing AI models.

The report highlights how despite it having double the population, the Republic of Ireland has more than 10 times the number of data centres with 135. It says that NI is in a postiion to develop “green data centres” that would be powered by renewable energy sources.

One of these “sustainable” data centres is being built at the Foyle Port Innovation Park in Derry by GreenScale and is due to be up and running in 2027. The site will have 100MW of power and says that it can ben expanded to 300MW with this being supported by renewable energy.

The company’s website says the data centre is based in a “critical digital gateway” as “Northern Ireland sits within a low‑latency triangle connecting the UK, Ireland, and continental Europe.”

The AI strategy report says that 20% of renewable energy that is produced in NI “goes to waste” and could be utilised for projects like data centres. The high costs associated with using cloud services have also been cited as a reason to create new data centres saying that “Sovereign, green, high-performance computing is therefore essential.”

The Executive has said it is looking to expand the use of AI throughout the public sector and says that it presents a number of opportunities while also noting the potential risks. It has said the full potential of AI will only be realised with the public’s trust due to the impact the sector has on people’s lives.

It says NI is currently in a position where it could become “major AI player on the global stage”. It says: “AI can transform our public services to the benefit of citizens; it can revolutionise how we work and study; it can drive economic growth and prosperity; and it can amplify human capability to create higher-quality jobs.The potential is extraordinary, and we have a duty to educate our citizens so that they understand that potential and can use these intelligent systems for their own benefit.

“Yet Artificial Intelligence carries risk, so our priority must also be to ensure that we have accountable human oversight operating with guardrails for ethical use and guidelines for best use. This is particularly important in the use of AI in public sector transformation where so many of the services that impact the lives of people every day are delivered. The potential of AI will never be realised without public trust.”

It continues: “If we adhere to our eight principles and work collaboratively to develop a plan that delivers on the recommended actions, Northern Ireland (NI) will be uniquely positioned to become a major AI player on the global stage. We have deep expertise across all sectors; we have a unique ecosystem based on connectivity and collaboration; and we have significant potential to be a leader in infrastructure: our natural resources could establish us as a pioneer in green data centre provision and, with that, a magnet for Foreign Direct Investment.”

A consultation on the AI Strategy is open until October 7, 2026.

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The 19th century school building was put on the market for £560,000 in January

A former primary school is set to get a new lease of life. The former Kennett Primary School on Station Road in Kennett was put on the market for £560,000 in January.

Plans, submitted by Colourbox Montessori School Ltd to change the former school into a pre-school, have now been given the green light. Kennett Primary School still runs as a school, but moved from its former 19th century building in late 2025.

The plans were granted permission by East Cambridgeshire District Council. According to the plans, the pre-school will accommodate up to 64 children and employ 15 new staff members. The pre-school will open from Monday to Friday between 7.30am and 6pm.

The applicant did not wish to make changes to the existing buildings or part of the exterior. The trees, boundary hedging, and soft landscaping will also be retained as part of the plans.

The new pre-school will provide 10 onsite car parking spaces, alongside a separate cycle storage facility. There site already accommodates a playground.

The applicant said the proposals to reuse a former primary school are “wholly appropriate”. The applicant added that the proposals will “suitably respect the character, scale and design of existing neighbouring and nearby dwellings along with the setting, character and appearance of the wider rural surroundings”.

The school building was first built in 1865 by rector William Godfrey, who paid £700 for the construction of the school. Years later, a modern extension was added to the school after the expansion of the village.

Colourbox Montessori has nurseries in several Suffolk locations including in Bury St. Edmunds, Newmarket, Haverhill and Barrow.

Pierce Brosnan and his son Paris have shared their thoughts on the nepo-baby commentary after his son followed in his acting footsteps.

The James Bond star, 73, has said he doesn’t want their names to get ‘tangled up in any tawdry suggestion’ that Paris shouldn’t be an actor because of him.

Paris’ first experience on set was when Pierce was working on The Unholy Trinity in 2023 and the director said he would love Pierce’s sons to be in the film.

Paris and his brother Dylan agreed and played two cowboys and Pierce said he could see how Paris ‘revelled’ being on camera.

Speaking to The Sunday Times magazine, he said: ‘Consequently he has made a film now and he’s good. I told him if he wants to be an actor he must train and study, and he wants to do those things. 

‘I don’t allow myself or him to get tangled up in any tawdry suggestion that because I am his father he should not become an actor, if that is his destiny. If you have a passion and a desire to do the work, you must do it.’

The James Bond star, 73, has said he doesn’t want their names to get ‘tangled up in any tawdry suggestion’ that Paris shouldn’t be an actor because of him (Pierce pictured as Bond)

Sharing his own thoughts in a joint interview, Paris said: ‘I’m so fortunate that I have my dad’s name but I want my art to carry its own weight. I absolutely need to acknowledge the privilege that comes with being my father’s son but then show up and do the work. He has told me to follow my heart. His No 1 rule is just to be kind to yourself and others.’

When asked if he could see himself taking on the role of Bond, Paris said that he would be leaving the part to his dad and focusing on making his own legacy. 

The hunt has been on for a new Bond after Daniel Craig stepped down from the part in 2021, with actor Jack Lowden the current favourite to replace him.

Earlier this year, Paris sent his well-wishes to whoever ends up nabbing the coveted role – over two decades after his father played the spy in four movies. 

Speaking with the Daily Mail at Clarins’ Night of Extra soiree, Paris weighed in on the search for the actor destined to utter the ‘shaken not stirred’ line. 

‘Wish him the best,’ he said.

The son of Pierce and his wife Keely Shaye Smith, Paris has pursued a career in the arts and was recently in London debuting his first exhibition, a new collection titled Collective Energy.

Paris’ first experience on set was when Pierce was working on The Unholy Trinity in 2023 and the director said he would love Pierce’s sons to be in the film 

Paris called his dad ‘incredible’ as he described the support he has received from his father. 

‘He’s incredible. We were just in London,’ he explained. ‘I did my first debut exhibition there, and it was great. 

‘He came to support me,’ he said. 

Indeed, it is a passion the Bond star raves about.

‘So proud of you @paris.brosnan ‘COLLECTIVE ENERGY’ Thursday, 26th February Clarendon Fine Art Mayfair, UK,’ he posted to Instagram at the time. 

‘Join LA-based artist Paris Brosnan at the launch of his UK debut to experience his vibrant Art which ‘explores human connection, energy & the rhythm of shared experience.’

Paris – whose father is a famous actor and mother a documentary filmmaker – also has a big heart that redefines the nepo baby stereotype. 

Paris worked with the World Food Programme during a trip to Sri Lanka with Clarins in what he called ‘an incredible experience’.

While there, he worked with Lauren Bush, the granddaughter of president George H.W. Bush, and her FEED Project. 

‘I love Clarins. I started working with them almost like seven, eight years ago now, and we went on a trip to Sri Lanka,’ he told the Daily Mail.

‘We did a work with the World Food Program, and Lauren Bush, Lauren from FEED, and it was an incredible trip.’

‘An incredible experience with the World Food Program,’ he added. 

It’s another indication of how Paris has been carving his own path outside of Hollywood. 

His artworks, mysterious and unique, flood his Instagram account – and show the passion he has for the craft. 

While Paris has dabbled in acting – and has a role coming up – Brosnan previously revealed he had dissuaded his children from following in his footsteps.  

‘Just because it is f***ing hard work,’ Pierce told GQ in 2022. ‘It’s a cross to bear. You’re constructing and destroying yourself.’

A large number of officers, including forensic cops, descended on Headwell Avenue after police sealed off a stretch of the road on Sunday afternoon.

A street in Fife has been sealed off by police following a major incident which saw a large number of officers descend on the area.

Headwell Avenue in Dunfermline was cordoned off at around 3.30pm on Sunday, August 16.

The road between St Margaret’s Well and Arthur Street has been closed to traffic, with officers stationed at both ends of the cordon.

Locals report a heavy police presence on the street, while an ambulance was also said to have been in the area before leaving.

It has not been confirmed if anyone has been injured.

Detectives and forensic officers have been spotted at the scene, appearing to bag up items and take photographs as part of the investigation.

Officers were seen guarding the area, with vehicle access being denied along the affected section of the road.

The nature of the incident has not yet been confirmed by police.

The cordon remains in place as officers continue their enquiries.

The Daily Record has contacted Police Scotland for further information.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

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BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) — Amy Hunt won a record fourth gold medal in a single edition of the European championships when Britain clinched victory in the mixed 4×100 relay on Sunday.

Hunt had already won two individual titles — the 100 and 200 — and added a third gold Saturday in the women’s 4×100 relay at Alexander Stadium.

The team of Jeremiah Azu, Dina Asher-Smith, Zharnel Hughes and Hunt won Sunday in a time of 39.97 seconds. Germany was second in 40.11 and Spain third in 40.42.

On the anchor leg, Hunt pulled away from Gina Lückenkemper to cross the line for gold.

“Oh my gosh, I’m over the moon,” Hunt told the BBC. “To finish it off with some of my best friends in the sport … to do it all together is incredible.”

Asher-Smith won her career eighth European championships gold and became the competition’s most decorated athlete.

This was the debut of the mixed 4×100 relay in the European championships.

“It’s good to get to try something new,” Asher-Smith told the BBC, although she added, “I was absolutely terrified.”

Memorable marathons

Amanal Petros made sure there was no photo finish this time.

The German won the men’s marathon at the European championships on Sunday morning by a whopping 7 seconds, less than a year after missing out on gold in a photo finish at the world championships in Tokyo.

Petros crossed the finish line in Birmingham in 2 hours, 9 minutes, 11 seconds — breaking the championships record in the process. Italy’s Pietro Riva took silver with his 2:09:18, three seconds better than Israel’s Gashau Ayale.

Last September, the Eritrean-born Petros settled for silver behind Tanzania’s Alphonce Simbu in the closest marathon in world championships history. Both men were officially clocked at 2:09:48, but it was determined that Simbu crossed the line a fraction sooner.

In the women’s marathon Sunday, Finland’s Alisa Vainio dominated the field to finish in 2:22:26, nearly five minutes ahead of silver medalist Lili Anna Vindics-Toth of Hungary. Britain’s Abbie Donnelly took bronze. Vainio broke Christelle Daunay’s championship record from 2014 by almost three minutes.

___

See full AP coverage of European sports here

Five teenage boys are dead after a head-on smash on an Irish motorway. 

The youngsters, who were all in one car travelling the wrong way down the M9, died at the scene in Co Kildare in the early hours of Sunday.  

Emergency services were alerted to a vehicle travelling southbound on the M9 northbound carriageway at junction 3 at around 3am. 

Gardaí confirmed the bodies of the five teenage men have now been removed from the scene and taken to Naas General Hospital where post-mortem examinations will take place. 

The passengers of the second vehicle are understood to be members of the same family who were travelling to Dublin Airport, with images from the scene showing a suitcase by the roadside.

The female driver and front-seat passenger of the second car, both aged in their 30s, have been taken to Tallaght University Hospital and both remain in critical condition.

A female rear-seat passenger, in her 20s, was taken to St Luke’s General Hospital and is in a serious condition, said the spokesman. 

The third passenger, a child, has been taken to the Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin and is in a serious condition.

Police said a car was travelling on the M9 in the wrong direction in Co Kildare before it smashed into another vehicle at junction 3 at around 3am on Sunday. Pictured: The scene on the M9 northbound

A forensic collision examination will take place while police investigate the circumstances of the head-on crash

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Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly has described the head-on collision between two cars as ‘horrific’ and warned that ‘in some cases’ vehicles are being driven on the wrong side of motorways for social media likes. 

Mr Kelly said: ‘My thoughts are with those injured in this morning’s collision on the M9.

‘These family members were travelling innocently when they were struck by a vehicle being driven the wrong way down the motorway.

‘This horrific incident, following the recent collision on the M50, shows how irresponsible and dangerous driving on the wrong side of the motorway is.

‘That, of course, should be self-evident, but what makes this reckless behaviour even more appalling is that in some cases it is being done for social media likes regardless of the potentially devastating impact it might have on innocent people and themselves.

‘As this particular incident has been referred to Fiosrú, the Police Ombudsman, I am constrained in what I can say in detail about this incident, but I know that gardaí do what they can to stop such vehicles while also taking into consideration all other road users.

‘Gardaí are put in a really challenging situation dealing with such incidents.

‘As always, An Garda Síochána will fully co-operate with the Police Ombudsman investigation which I hope is completed as expeditiously as possible.’

The M9 from junction 3 to junction 4 northbound and southbound remains closed with local diversions in place. 

A forensic collision examination will take place while police investigate the circumstances of the smash. 

The road is expected to reopen on Sunday night.   

Emergency services were alerted to a vehicle travelling southbound on the M9 northbound carriageway at junction 3 at around 3am

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The M9 from junction 3 to junction 4 northbound and southbound remains closed with local diversions in place. The road is expected to reopen on Sunday night

Officers are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the collision to come forward. 

A gardaí spokesperson added: ‘Family liaison officers have been appointed to relatives of the occupants of both vehicles.

‘Gardaí are appealing for any persons who may have witnessed this collision to come forward.

‘Gardaí are appealing to road users who were travelling on the M9 northbound or southbound between 2am and 3am this morning, Sunday August 16 2026, and who may have dashcam footage of the incident or surrounding area to make this footage available to investigating gardaí.’

A statement from Fiosrú said: ‘The referral was made following a fatal road traffic incident on the M9.

‘One of Fiosrú’s on-call team of investigators attended the scene and its independent investigation is ongoing.

‘In line with its statutory remit, Fiosrú’s investigation relates to incidents involving contact with gardaí where a member of the public has died or been seriously injured.’

Nine people were injured in an incident last weekend when there was a head-on collision on the M50 in Dublin with a car travelling in the wrong direction on the motorway.

Andy Burnham is embarking on a tour of the UK where he will champion a “ten-year plan to bring back hope”. This has been the language of the early stages of the Burnham premiership – in his first speech in Downing Street, he proclaimed it the moment when “Britain starts to believe again, the moment we bring back hope”.

Politicians invoking hope are sometimes denigrated as trite and vacuous – as if they are leading people on with empty rhetoric. Even Barack Obama, who used the rhetoric of hope in his 2008 US presidential campaign, was later mocked by Sarah Palin, running mate of Obama’s rival for the White House John McCain, about “that hopey, changey thing”.

Psychologists and philosophers have fleshed out what hope means as a distinct concept. Rather than just expecting the future to be better than the present somehow, hope is about being faced with uncertainty and believing it is possible to make that future better.

Giving people hope is about convincing them that it is possible to pursue that better future, either individually or collectively. For Burnham, a wide body of research suggests there are three kinds of hope in particular that he will – or should – be aiming to rekindle on his tour of the country.

Psychological hope

Psychologists make a critical distinction between hope and optimism. Optimism is about tending to believe that things will be better in the future, come what may. Hope is the conviction that it is possible to achieve goals we set out to reach: where there’s a will, there’s a way.

One popular psychological measure of hope involves splitting it into two dimensions. “Pathways” describe people’s ability to imagine the routes to a good outcome. “Agency” describes the motivation to pursue those pathways. Hopeful people are more likely to take action towards their goals because they can see the steps that might get them there, and feel empowered to follow them.

When it comes to voters, they will be better able to see pathways that politics clears for them. And they will feel more agency in pursuing them when politicians show them a route.

Understood in these terms, Burnham’s abstract emphasis on hope sits comfortably alongside his more concrete focus on giving people “room to breathe” with regard to the cost of living. If he can convince them that marginal relief on energy bills and bus fares are just the first step on the road to making life more affordable, people may be able to look beyond each month’s expenses and start hoping for meaningful improvements in their living standards.

Democratic hope

But in a democracy, hoping isn’t something that individuals do alone. Philosophers have written about democratic hope, arguing that democracy involves seeing ways to produce a better future together, in relation with our fellow citizens.

After all, in politics, the main source of uncertainty about how things will turn out is the actions of other people. So hoping for better from our politics involves believing and trusting in others to make choices in our collective interest.

Burnham has shown concern about the loss of such trust and respect between citizens. During his campaign for the Makerfield byelection, he lamented the “polarised” and “poisonous” direction of British politics. Inspiring hope for a brighter collective future could help Burnham put that right, by encouraging people to see that this prospect relies on cultivating better civic and democratic attitudes towards fellow citizens.

For example, the government’s plans to give people a bigger say about improving their high streets suggest an intention to bring communities together in the hope of making their everyday lives better. He may see these plans as a route to restoring the respect between citizens that he says is being lost.

Electoral hope

Finally, Burnham will be keen to boost hope in Labour’s electoral chances. In my work, I have developed the concept of “electoral hope”, explaining why people tend to believe that their preferred party stands a chance of winning an election.

The so-called “Burnham bounce” has seen Labour’s polling rise to overtake Reform UK for the first time in months. This followed Burnham’s appointment as prime minister and initial policy announcements.

A well-executed tour of the country in which Burnham convinces the public he can deliver on these priorities may consolidate that improved performance.

My research has found that (psychologically) hopeful people are the most inclined to expect their preferred party to win. But more positive polling of the kind Labour is now beginning to enjoy helps to get those who are otherwise low in psychological hope to get on board and start believing too.

And that could prove important, because creating the impression that the Labour party is best placed to beat Reform will be essential to winning the next election. To gain the support of voters in the so-called “left bloc”, who want to minimise the chances of a Reform victory, Labour will have to appear to be the most viable option in this group of progressive parties.

Hope, far from being mere rhetoric, can be a powerful force in politics. Whether Burnham’s tour of the UK, and the announcements made along the way, will be enough to inspire such hope remains to be seen.

Whilst in Egypt, Kushner also met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. According to Israeli media reports, Kushner, Mladenov and Blair will meet Netanyahu on Monday with the aim of advancing Trump’s plan.

The Israeli prime minister has said he wants a full Hamas disarmament first in order to implement the deal.

“Israel rejects the Board of Peace’s 15-point document on Gaza. The IDF will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed,” Netanyahu said last week defying Israel’s closest ally.

In a joint statement on Sunday, Egypt, UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Turkey, Pakistan and Indonesia said Israel’s rejection of the US plan threatened Trump’s efforts for peace.

The ceasefire, which came into effect on 10 October last year, remains in place.

However, the Israel Defense Forces have carried out several strikes in Gaza since then – the latest on “terrorists” in Khan Yunis and Nuseirat areas of Gaza – accusing Hamas of breaking the truce.

The war was triggered by the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.

Israel responded to the attack by launching a military campaign in Gaza, during which more than 73,000 people have been killed, according to the territory’s health ministry, whose figures are considered reliable by the UN.

The UN estimates that about 1.9 million people – 90% of Gaza’s population – have been displaced since the war started.

Andy Roche is the last resident in a doomed estate – but he refuses to leave the home he has lived in for 28 years.

A lone tenant is holding up plans to bulldoze a deserted corner of a doomed council estate after refusing to leave the only occupied flat among 126 homes earmarked for demolition.

Andy Roche, 51, is the final resident living in Zedburgh, one of seven 1960s apartment blocks at the Lower Falinge estate in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, which are facing the wrecking ball.

Six of the seven blocks have already been completely emptied, leaving Andy’s one-bedroom flat as the only occupied property in the 126 homes due to be demolished.

Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) wants to flatten the blocks and replace them with up to 270 new homes as part of a major regeneration scheme.

But Andy, who has lived in his flat for 28 years, has dug in his heels and insists he does not want to move.

He lives at the property with his partner, who is also autistic, and says they have specific needs which have made finding suitable alternative accommodation difficult.

The unemployed 51-year-old pays just £95 a week for the flat and says he still loves living there despite the increasingly deserted surroundings.

He says the estate’s green spaces, lack of traffic and familiarity of the area make it home.

Andy said: “We don’t want to leave this area – it’s where I’ve lived all my life since leaving my parents’ home.

“There’s never any trouble, and we like all of the green space.

“Because we’re both autistic, we have very specific needs when it comes to things like noise, smells and lights.

“We’ve given RBH a list of our housing needs – but they seem to be ignoring it.”

Andy claims some of the properties suggested by RBH would not meet those requirements, including one next to a pub and another close to a metalworks.

The standoff has left Andy and his partner living in increasingly eerie surroundings, with their flat surrounded by boarded-up windows and empty walkways.

Lower Falinge was built from 1968, with its deck-access blocks completed in stages into the early 1970s.

Today, Zedburgh is surrounded by six empty blocks – Ollerton, Newstead, Romsey, Quinton, Ullesthorpe and Vaynor.

Across the communal grassland, once-busy homes now stand empty behind sheets of plywood as the estate waits for its next phase of redevelopment.

Andy said the deserted surroundings had created an “eerie” atmosphere and left the couple feeling increasingly isolated.

He said: “We feel isolated. We worry about people breaking in when we’re out of the flat.”

Andy also claims people have started hanging around the empty estate since residents moved out and suspects some may be involved in drug dealing.

With neighbouring properties no longer being heated, he says his own home has also become colder and more expensive to keep warm.

He added: “When I hear someone outside, I think – have they come with machines to knock us down?

“When I hear the letterbox, my heart sinks because I think there’s going to be a letter saying that they’re taking us to court.

“This has been going on for so long that I’ve almost forgotten what it was like to live here before.”

Andy and his partner were served with a notice seeking possession in January as RBH attempts to move them out.

He described the situation as “so distressing”.

Andy said: “I can’t understate that. It’s almost a matter of life and death with how distressing it is.”

The latest regeneration plans come less than a year after campaigners successfully challenged an earlier attempt to demolish six of the blocks.

RBH had sought prior approval for the demolition, but residents challenged the decision through a judicial review and won.

The housing association has now returned with a wider proposal which also puts Zedburgh in the firing line.

RBH says the seven blocks have reached the end of their lifespan and can no longer provide the safe and warm homes residents need.

But Andy has questioned why other buildings from the same era have been refurbished rather than demolished, including work to address damp and mould.

Regeneration of Lower Falinge began in 2012 and RBH says three completed phases have already delivered 100 new homes.

The result is a stark divide between newly built properties and rows of boarded-up flats awaiting demolition.

In 2016, then-prime minister David Cameron famously described Lower Falinge as a “sink estate”.

RBH has not revealed a specific cost for the latest phase of the regeneration.

However, the housing association secured £55 million in new bank funding in January to invest in existing homes and support regeneration projects across Rochdale.

The plans include improved public spaces and better walking and cycling links to Rochdale town centre.

But while several other blocks earmarked for retention remain occupied, residents facing housing pressures have questioned why empty properties cannot be brought back into use.

Mum-of-six Gemma Lucas, 32, has spent three years living in temporary accommodation while waiting for a permanent council house.

She said: “We’re in a housing crisis – but those blocks are just sitting there empty waiting to get knocked down.

“Why can’t people move into them?”

RBH plans to submit an outline application for the redevelopment to Rochdale Council.

If approved, a further detailed application would still be required before demolition or construction work could begin.

An RBH spokesperson said: “We understand this is a very difficult situation for the customers involved, and we have been and will continue to work with them and their representatives to support them with finding a new home that meets their needs.

“The regeneration of Lower Falinge has been in progress over several years, in consultation with residents throughout.

“The seven blocks identified for demolition have been empty for several years and have reached the end of their life and can no longer provide the safe, warm homes our customers want and need to live healthy lives.

“We remain absolutely committed to supporting the one remaining household to move into suitable alternative accommodation.

“Since June 2025, we have made five offers of new homes, including properties within Lower Falinge and nearby. We will continue to provide tailored practical and financial support throughout the move alongside our partners.”

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