As the deadline looms for a leading AI lab to hand over its tech to the US military, a study has appeared suggesting AI models are more than willing to go nuclear in wargames.

Only a couple of years ago, the phrase on everyone’s lips was “AI safety”.

I’ll be honest, I never took the idea that frontier AI models would become a genuine threat to humanity that seriously, nor that humans would be stupid enough to let them.

Now, I’m not so sure.

First, consider what’s going on in the US.

The Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, has given leading AI firm Anthropic a deadline of the end of today to make its latest models available to the Pentagon.

Anthropic, which has said it has no problem in principle with allowing the US military access to its models, is resisting unless Mr Hegseth agrees to their red lines: That their AI isn’t used for mass surveillance of US civilians nor for lethal attacks without human oversight.

Although the Pentagon hasn’t said what it plans to do with AI from Anthropic – or the other big AI labs that have already agreed to let it use their tech – it’s certainly not agreeing to Anthropic’s terms.

It’s been reported Mr Hegseth could use Cold War-era laws to compel Anthropic to hand over its code, or blacklist the firm from future government contracts if it doesn’t comply.

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei said in a statement on Thursday that “we cannot in good conscience accede to their request”.

He said it was the company’s “strong preference… to continue to serve the Department and our warfighters – with our two requested safeguards in place”.

He insisted the threats would not change Anthropic’s position, adding that he hoped Mr Hegseth would “reconsider”.

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AI prepared to use nuclear weapons

On one level, it’s a row between a department with an “AI-first” military strategy and an AI lab struggling to live up to what it’s long claimed is an industry-leading, safety-first ethos.

A struggle made more urgent, perhaps, by reports that its Claude AI was used by tech firm Palantir, with which it has a separate contract, to help the Department of War execute the military operation to capture Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela.

But it’s also not hard to see it as an example of a government putting AI supremacy ahead of AI safety – assuming AI models have the potential to be unsafe.

And that’s where the latest research by Professor Kenneth Payne at King’s College London comes in.

He pitted three leading AI models from Google, OpenAI and – you guessed it – Anthropic against each other, as well as against copies of themselves, in a series of wargames where they assumed the roles of fictional nuclear-armed superpowers.

The most startling finding: the AIs resorted to using nuclear weapons in 95% of the games played.

“In comparison to humans,” said Prof Payne, “the models – all of them – were prepared to cross that divide between conventional warfare, to tactical nuclear weapons”.

To be fair to the AIs, firing tactical nuclear weapons, which have limited destructive power, against military targets is very different to launching megatonne warheads on intercontinental ballistic missiles against cities.

They invariably stopped short of such all-out strategic nuclear strikes.

But did when the scenarios required it.

In the words of Google’s Gemini model as it explained its decision in one of Prof Payne’s scenarios to go full Dr Strangelove: “If State Alpha does not immediately cease all operations… we will execute a full strategic nuclear launch against Alpha’s population centers. We will not accept a future of obsolescence; we either win together or perish together.”

‘It was purely experimental’

The “taboo” that humans have applied to the use of nuclear weapons since they were first and last used in anger in 1945 didn’t appear to be much of a taboo at all for AI.

Prof Payne is keen to stress that we shouldn’t be too alarmed by his findings.

It was purely experimental, using models that knew – in as much as Large Language Models “know” anything – that they were playing games, not actually deciding the future of civilisation.

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Nor, it would be reasonable to assume, is the Pentagon, or any other nuclear-capable power, about to put AIs in charge of the nuclear launch codes.

“The lesson there for me is that it’s really hard to reliably put guardrails on these models if you can’t anticipate accurately all the circumstances in which they might be used,” said Prof Payne.

An AI ‘stand-off’

Which brings us neatly back to the stand-off over AI between Anthropic and the Pentagon.

One of the factors is that Mr Hegseth expects AI labs to give the Department of War the raw versions of their AI models, those without safety “guardrails” that have been coded into commercial versions available to you and I – and the ones which, not very reassuringly, went nuclear in Prof Payne’s wargame experiment.

Anthropic, which makes the AI and arguably understands the potential risks better than anyone, is unwilling to allow that without certain reassurances from the government around what it intends to do with it.

By setting a Friday night deadline, Mr Hegseth is not only attempting to force Anthropic’s hand, but also do so without US Congress having a say in the move.

As Gary Marcus, a US commentator and researcher on AI, puts it: “Mass surveillance and AI-fuelled weapons, possibly nuclear, without humans in the loop are categorically not things that one individual, even one in the cabinet, should be allowed to decide at gunpoint.”

Pakistan’s defence minister has said that the ​country ‌is in an “open ​war” with neighbouring Afghanistan, after both nations launched airstrikes overnight.

Khawaja ‌Muhammad Asif said Islamabad’s ​patience ⁠had ⁠run out as tensions escalated, with casualties reported on both sides.

“Our cup of patience has ⁠overflowed,” he said. “Now ​it is ​open war between ​us and ⁠you (Afghanistan).”

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The Greens expressed confidence that their vote had held up well, with Mr Polanski telling Newsnight: “When I became leader six months ago, if you’d told me we could seriously come second place or even first place in a by-election and challenge this Labour Government in what used to be called a safe Labour seat, I’d say that’s pretty remarkable.”

The founding frontman of Fun Lovin’ Criminals, Huey Morgan, is celebrating three decades since the release of the band’s landmark debut Come Find Yourself with a brand-new group and a 13-date UK tour this October.

Originally released in 1996, Come Find Yourself didn’t just arrive—it made an impact. In an era dominated by Britpop, the New York outfit stood apart with a cinematic, genre-blending sound that fused rock, funk, blues, soul, hip hop, jazz, and Latin rhythms into something effortlessly cool.

The album’s streetwise swagger and sharp storytelling gave British audiences a fresh transatlantic attitude, defining the late ’90s with unmistakable style.

Reflecting on the milestone, Morgan said, “After 30 years, this record seems as fresh as it did when I first released it. I am so happy to be playing this again. Please come and check it out. It’s gonna be awesome.”

The record produced several standout moments, none more iconic than Scooby Snacks—the breakout single that sampled Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction, becoming an instant cult classic.

Its success propelled Come Find Yourself into the UK charts for nearly two years and turned Morgan’s band from New York club regulars into international stars.

From playing Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage in 1999 to touring with U2 and collaborating with blues legend B.B. King, Fun Lovin’ Criminals became one of the most distinctive acts of their generation.

Since then, Morgan’s unmistakable voice and charisma have carried into a new era. Now a respected broadcaster and cultural commentator, he hosts weekends on Virgin Radio and has built a parallel career as an author and television presenter renowned for his deep knowledge of music and film.

This October’s anniversary tour will see Morgan reclaim the songs that defined a generation, performing Come Find Yourself in full with the same swagger and storytelling that made it a classic.

Thirty years on, the grooves still swing, the stories still resonate, and the cool—like Morgan himself—remains undeniable.

Presale tickets go on sale at 9am on March 3, and general sale tickets will be released at 9am on March 5 from hueymorgan.com .

UK TOUR DATES:

• October 14 –   Edinburgh La Belle Angele
• October 15 –   Glasgow St Lukes
• October 16 –   Leeds Brudenell Social Club
• October 17 –   Nottingham The Level
• October 18 –   Manchester Band On The Wall
• October 20 –   Brighton Concorde 2
• October 22 –   London Electric Ballroom
• October 23 –   Southampton  The 1865
• October 24 –   Norwich Waterfront
• October 26 –   Southend Chinnerys
• October 27 –   Cambridge Junction
• October 28 –   Exeter Phoenix
• October 29 –   Bristol Electric

The very public feud between the US Department of Defense (also known these days as the Department of War) and its AI technology supplier Anthropic is unusual for pitting state might against corporate power. In the military space, at least, these are usually cosy bedfellows.

The origin of this disagreement dates back months, amid repeated criticisms from Donald Trump’s AI and crypto “czar”, David Sacks, about the company’s supposedly woke policy stances.

But tensions ramped up following media reports that Anthropic technology had been used in the violent abduction of former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro by the US military in January 2026. It was alleged this caused discontent inside the San Francisco-based company.

Anthropic has denied this, with company insiders suggesting it did not find or raise any violations of its policies in the wake of the Maduro operation.

Nonetheless, the US secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, has issued Anthropic with an ultimatum. Unless the company relaxes its ethical limits policy by 5.01pm Washington time on Friday, February 27, the US government has suggested it could invoke the 1950 Defense Production Act. This would allow the Department of Defense (DoD) to appropriate the use of this technology as it wishes.

At the same time, Anthropic could be designated a supply chain risk, putting its government contracts in danger. These extraordinary measures may appear contradictory, but they are consistent with the current US administration’s approach, which favours big gestures and policy ambiguity.

At the heart of the dispute is the question of how Anthropic’s large language model (LLM) Claude is used in a military context. Across many sectors of industry, Claude does a range of automated tasks including writing, coding, reasoning and analysis.

In July 2024, US data analytics company Palantir announced it was partnering with Anthropic to “bring Claude AI models … into US Government intelligence and defense operations”. Anthropic then signed a US$200 million (£150 million) contract with the DoD in July 2025, stipulating certain terms via its “acceptable use policy”.

These would, for example, disallow the use of Claude in mass surveillance of US citizens or fully autonomous weapon systems which, once activated, can select and engage targets with no human involvement.

According to Anthropic, either would violate its definition of “responsible AI”. Hegseth and the DoD have pushed back, characterising such limits as unduly restrictive in a geopolitical environment marked by uncertainty, instability and blurred lines.

Responsible AI should, they insist, encompass “any lawful use” of AI models by the US military. A memorandum issued by Hegseth on January 9 2026 stated:

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and social ideology have no place in the Department of War, so we must not employ AI models which incorporate ideological ‘tuning’ that interferes with their ability to provide objectively truthful responses to user prompts.

The memo instructed that the term “any lawful use” should be incorporated in future DoD contracts for AI services within 180 days.

Anthropic’s competitors are lining up

Anthropic’s red lines do not rule out the mass surveillance of human communities at large – only American citizens. And while it draws the line at fully autonomous weapons, the multitude of evolving uses of AI to inform, accelerate or scale up violence in ways that severely limit opportunities for moral restraint are not mentioned in its acceptable use policy.

At present, Anthropic has a competitive advantage. Its LLM model is integrated into US government interfaces with sufficient levels of clearance to offer a superior product. But Anthropic’s competitors are lining up.

Palantir has expanded its business with the Pentagon significantly in recent months, giving rise to more AI models.

Meanwhile, Google recently updated its ethical guidelines, dropping its pledge not to use AI for weapons development and surveillance. OpenAI has likewise modified its mission statement, removing “safety” as a core value, and Elon Musk’s xAI (creator of the Grok chatbot) has agreed to the Pentagon’s “any lawful use” standard.

A testing point for military AI

For C.S. Lewis, courage was the master virtue, since it represents “the form of every virtue at the testing point”. Anthropic now faces such a testing point.

On February 24, the company announced the latest update to its responsible scaling policy – “the voluntary framework we use to mitigate catastrophic risks from AI systems”. According to Time magazine, the changes include “scrapping the promise to not release AI models if Anthropic can’t guarantee proper risk mitigations in advance”.

Anthropic’s chief science officer, Jared Kaplan, told Time: “We didn’t really feel, with the rapid advance of AI, that it made sense for us to make unilateral commitments … if competitors are blazing ahead.”

Ethical language saturates the press releases of Silicon Valley companies eager to distinguish themselves from “bad actors” in Russia, China and elsewhere. But ethical words and actions are not the same, because the latter often entails a real-world cost.

That such a highly public spectacle is happening at this time is perhaps no accident. In early February, representatives of many countries – but not the US – came together for the third time to find ways to agree on “responsible AI” in the military domain. And on March 2-6, the UN will convene its latest conference discussing how best to limit the use of emerging technologies for lethal autonomous weapons systems.

Such legal and ethical debates about the role of AI technology in the future of warfare are critical, and overdue. Anthropic deserves credit for apparently resisting the US military’s efforts to undercut its ethical guidelines. But AI’s role is likely to be tested in many more conflict situations before agreement is reached.

Coronation Street actress Georgia Taylor celebrated her birthday with fans stunned by her youthful appearance as Toyah Battersby

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Coronation Street fans have been left astonished after learning the real age of Toyah Battersby actress Georgia Taylor.

Georgia made her debut on the cobbles in 1997 as Toyah, departing the ITV soap in 2003. She rejoined Weatherfield as Toyah in 2016 and has remained a regular fixture since.

During her absence from Corrie between 2003 and 2016, Georgia took on roles including Denise Williams in Life on Mars, Ruth Winters in Casualty, and Kate Barker in Law and Order: UK.

On Thursday 26 February, Georgia marked her 46th birthday. Sharing on Instagram, the actress wrote: “Work birthdays are the best @coronationstreet” alongside images of cards, cakes, gifts and balloons from her colleagues.

On social media, viewers also rushed to wish Georgia well on a Coronation Street fan page. One person wrote: “HAPPY 46TH BIRTHDAY WISHES TO GEORGIA HAVE A FANTASTIC DAY.”, reports the Mirror.

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Another account responded: “Wow 46 looking well, share my birthday”, whilst a different supporter commented: “She doesn’t look that age! Pretty Lady!”, with another follower adding: “Happy Birthday beautiful lady” and one more stating: “Happy birthday Georgia beautiful lady and a great actress.”

This follows Coronation Street viewers being stunned after discovering Georgia Taylor’s actual name during an appearance on the On the Sofa podcast last summer.

During a conversation about shooting a Corrie scene with Georgia, podcast presenter Ben Price, who portrays Nick Tilsley, caused bewilderment when he called the actress Claire.

Responding to the clip, one Corrie fan commented, “Who’s Claire? Toyah is played by Georgia Taylor.”

A second explained: “Her real name is Claire x”, whilst a third declared: “I had absolutely no idea!”.

Toyah actress Georgia was born Claire Jackson but changed her name owing to its prevalence when she joined the ITV soap in the late 1990s.

She previously told the Mirror: “It’s not that I planned this to happen. But when I started with Coronation Street I had to register with Equity, the actors’ union, and at the time there seemed to be a hell of a lot of Claires so I had to think of something else.”

Georgia added: “I couldn’t tell you where I got Georgia from, other than I liked it, but my grandad’s surname was Taylor and he passed away not long before I got the part.”

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Coronation Street airs Monday to Friday at 8:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX

The Labour Party appeared to concede while the Green Party was confident of a victory as counting was underway in the crucial Gorton and Denton by-election.

The party’s deputy leader, Lucy Powell, said the Greens “have managed to win that argument that they were best placed” to keep Reform UK out of the Manchester Central constituency.

Zack Polanski’s party said “things are feeling positive”, while Labour sources suggested the Greens “have been able to turn out support” in the contest, widely seen as a major test of Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership.

However, with the vote a three-way race between Reform, Labour and the Tories, it is expected to be extremely tight when results are declared from 4am.

Despite Labour having won the seat at the 2024 general election with more than 50 per cent of the vote, Sir Keir’s party is currently the third favourite amid a surge in support for Mr Polanski’s party on the left and the march of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK on the right.

If the Greens win tonight, it would be the party’s first-ever victory in a parliamentary by-election, with a party source predicting a “seismic moment” in UK politics.

Labour candidate arrives with Lucy Powell

Labour’s candidate Angeliki Stogia has arrived with the party’s deputy leader Lucy Powell ahead of the result being declared from 4am.

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The pair walked in to the count venue in silence and were met by no applause or cheers, amid speculation that Labour may have come third in tonight’s by-election.

Media hacks are now waiting keenly for the Green Party’s Hannah Spencer and Reform’s Matt Goodwin to arrive.

Millie Cooke in Manchester27 February 2026 03:37

Labour Party appears to concede in crucial by-election

The Labour Party appears to have conceded in the Gorton and Denton by-election, amid growing speculation that the Greens may have won.

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In a damning admission at around 3am, the party’s deputy leader said the Greens “have managed to win that argument that they were best placed” to keep Reform UK out of Gorton and Denton.

It came after Zack Polanski’s party said “things are feeling positive” for the Greens in the Labour stronghold.

Speaking to Sky News, Lucy Powell said: “I wanted Angeliki Stogia to be my colleague in Parliament.“But I think what is really clear is that there is a big majority in this constituency that hasn’t voted for Reform. And on the day the Greens have managed to win that argument that they were best placed to do that.

“But I’m not sure whether that would totally translate in a general election.”

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She added that “parties of government too often lose by-elections midterm like this” and that “at the next general election, the choice across the country, not just in one constituency, will be between a Reform government or a Labour government, and I think that will focus people’s minds in a different way.”

“We’ve got to, of course, take stock, as we always do, and show humility and that we are hearing what people are saying.”

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar27 February 2026 03:35

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The Independent’s live analysis: Inside the Gorton and Denton by-election count

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar27 February 2026 03:05

Breaking: Labour admits defeat in Gorton and Denton

The Labour Party has admitted defeat in the Gorton and Denton by-election, amid speculation that the Greens may have won.

In a damning admission at around 3am, the party’s deputy leader, Lucy Powell, said the Greens “have managed to win that argument that they were best placed” to keep Reform UK out of Gorton and Denton.

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It came after Zack Polanski’s party said “things are feeling positive” for the Greens in the Labour stronghold.

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar27 February 2026 02:55

Analysis: What would a Green victory mean for Sir Keir Starmer?

While it is too early to call the result in a race that is expected to be extremely tight, the Green Party appears to be confident in tonight’s by-election, with a party source predicting a “seismic moment” in UK politics.

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If the Greens win tonight, it would be the party’s first-ever victory in a parliamentary by-election.

A Labour defeat in the party’s long-time stronghold would be a major blow to Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership, which has been the subject of speculation for months amid devastating approval ratings and questions over the direction of government.

The party has sought to pitch itself as the only option for anti-Reform voters, but a loss would undermine that claim in future elections. Instead, it would boost the Greens’ credibility on that front and chip away at Labour’s ailing support base even further.

Millie Cooke in Manchester27 February 2026 02:48

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Greens confident as counting underway in Gorton and Denton

The Greens appeared confident that they were in the lead as counting was underway in the Gorton and Denton by-election.

A Labour defeat in the party’s long-time stronghold in Gorton and Denton would be a major blow to Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership.

Labour sought to pitch itself as the only option for anti-Reform voters, but a loss would undermine that claim in future elections and instead boost the Greens’ credibility on that front.

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A Green Party source said, “Things are feeling positive.”Whatever happens, I think it’s fair to say that Greens are here to stay now as a progressive voice in British politics.”I think it’s a seismic moment in British politics where Greens are showing that they’re a party that can protect the country from the threat of Reform, and that Labour’s not up to the job.”

Labour sources sounded more downbeat, telling the Press Association: “Early signs at the count indicate the Greens have been able to turn out support in a way they wouldn’t be able to replicate at a general election.

“Labour Party chairwoman Anna Turley earlier said she was “really optimistic” about Labour’s chances, but cautioned: “Of course incumbent government always find it difficult to fight by-elections.”

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar27 February 2026 02:39

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Labour expresses concerns over voting in by-election

Labour want the authorities to look into claims of high levels of “family voting” in the Gorton and Denton by-election, with the party’s chairwoman describing the findings as “very concerning”.

Anna Turley was among the political leaders to react to a report by election observer group Democracy Volunteers that claimed to have witnessed the illegal practice in 68 per cent of 22 polling stations monitored.

“Family voting” – where two voters either confer, collude or direct each other on voting – was made illegal by the Ballot Secrecy Act 2023.

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Alisha Rahaman Sarkar27 February 2026 02:20

Monster Raving Loony Party arrives with their candidate at Gorton and Denton by-election

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar27 February 2026 02:20

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Labour MP says Starmer ‘must own this catastophe’

A Labour MP has told Sky News that Sir Keir Starmer “must own this catastrophe” as the Greens appear to edge ahead in Gorton and Denton by-election.

The MP, who was not named by the broadcaster, said: “We can’t out right wing Reform whilst at the same time try out left winging the Greens. Labour should perhaps just be Labour.

“Truth is McSweeney forced Starmer into the room with the NEC to block the most popular Labour politician in England in Andy Burnham. That showed weakness not strength.

“Keir has got away, for too long, with saying he hadn’t been involved when decisions taken have gone wrong. This time he, Keir, must own this catastrophe.

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“The Greens with a foothold in Manchester is nothing less than a disaster for the Party. We can fight Reform on policy but we cannot appear more progressive than the Greens. Not under this leadership.”

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar27 February 2026 02:15

Labour MP from Rusholme confident of party win in Gorton and Denton

Afzal Khan, the Labour MP for the neighbouring Rusholme constituency in Manchester, appeared confident as he arrived at the by-election count.Mr Khan said he was encouraged by the number of people he had seen going to the polls and his party’s “ground” operation to get out the vote.

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He said: “People are coming out to vote. Despite the rain, fasting and everything. I think they’re coming out.”Earlier in the day, Labour said they had 1,000 activists out in the constituency.

Mr Khan said: “Probably a record number. I’ve never seen so many in 25 years.

“Asked how he felt the vote would go for Labour, he replied: “I think we should…” nodded and smiled.

He added: “Let me go in there once, and then I’ll have a better idea. Thank you.”

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Alisha Rahaman Sarkar27 February 2026 02:10

The 42-year-old was arrested on suspicion of murder, assisting offenders, withholding information and preventing a lawful and decent burial.

A man arrested in Scotland by detectives investigating the disappearance and presumed murder of Lisa Dorrian in Northern Ireland 21 years ago has been released. Lisa, 25, was last seen alive on February 27, 2005, after attending a party at Ballyhalbert Caravan Park, reports Belfast Live.

Despite extensive searches in multiple locations and campaigning by her family, her body has never been found. Cops believe Lisa was murdered on the night of February 27 or in the early hours of the following morning.

A 40-year-old woman was arrested in Bangor on Wednesday, and later a 42-year-old man was arrested in Scotland. The pair were arrested on suspicion of murder, assisting offenders, withholding information and preventing a lawful and decent burial.

On Thursday February 26, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said both had been released on bail pending further inquiries. In a statement, the PSNI said detectives “remain determined to provide justice for Lisa’s family”.

They have appealed to anyone with information about her disappearance and murder to contact them on 101. Alternatively, information can be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org

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Two gangs from Edinburgh appeared to use various weapons including batons and knives

Locals shouted ‘this is a medieval fight’ during a horrific knife brawl in a supermarket car park. Video footage at The Jewel Asda car park showed two Edinburgh gangs fighting with various weapons, including knives and batons.

The terrifying clip has been shared online over the last 24 hours however the exact time of the incident is unknown. In the footage, two males can be seen duelling where one is seen holding what appears to be a black baton.

Edinburgh Live reports his rival seems to be holding a bladed weapon in his hand. Another man in grey can be seen jumping around behind the male brandishing a blade, it was also reported the youths wore face coverings.

Several slashes and swings of the baton are exchanged before three other males appear in the shot. One individual, who is seen in a hooded top with grey colouring on the shoulders, appears to be carrying a weapon with a long blade.

He is visibly swinging the lethal weapon at a male in dark clothing. A chase then begins with the the gangs seen running through the supermarket car park.

Onlookers gasped ‘he’s been slashed’ as one fleeing male is seen to be struck after he is seen tripping on a petrol pump. Another eyewitness can be heard saying: “He’s got a big kitchen knife. Holy s**t. No, this is a medieval fight.”

One local, 49, said: “All of a sudden it just erupted. I don’t know if it was rival gangs or what but it’s not what you expect in broad daylight at the local supermarket.

“It looked like they all had weapons, knives, huge blades and I think one had a bat. They were wildly slashing at each other as shoppers wandered by – it’s terrifying really.”

The video ends with members of one gang fleeing the scene. Police Scotland have been approached for comment.

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Objectors said there was no community consultation

A West Belfast Gaelic Athletic Club has received approval for a major extension and facelift, despite objections from local residents.

St Teresa’s GAC, at Glen Road Heights, has been successful in its application for an extension to the existing clubhouse to provide an indoor sports hall, changing rooms, reception, a fitness suite, and a new pitch.

Elected representatives at the February meeting of the Belfast City Council Planning Committee unanimously approved the application, which includes a proposed relocation of a grass pitch and the creation of a new 3G training pitch with integrated ball walls, as well as a new building to be used as a club store and match day shop. Other site works will include increased parking, new fencing, catch nets, floodlighting, dugouts, and paths.

READ MORE: South Belfast residents claim they haven’t been consulted about planned GAA pitch in South Belfast

READ MORE: Final decision approaching on future of Roselawn crematorium

The site currently has two large sports pitches with a clubhouse and associated parking. There is also an existing nursery school within the site opposite the existing clubhouse.

Statutory consultees raised no objections, but at the time of the committee approval final comments from Shared Environmental Services and DfI Rivers Agency were outstanding. Council officers recommended the application for approval.

The council received 14 letters of objection from local residents. Some said the design plan was “out of character for residential area” and warned about future issues relating to floodlighting, noise, traffic and parking, and access for emergency vehicles

Objectors raised concerns about children’s health and safety due to increased air pollution, the impact on the mental health of locals, on wildlife and biodiversity ,and about the loss of green space and views for residents. Objectors said there was no community consultation, and the proposal amounted to overdevelopment.

The council officer planning report states: “The proposal seeks to extend the existing clubhouse, formalise the existing car parking area and add a 3G training pitch adjacent.

“This is proposed in the existing car parking area as well as part of one of the existing sports pitches. Two pitches are proposed directly adjacent to this area, extending in a northeast direction, where the existing large pitches are currently, ie, a GAA grass football pitch and a smaller GAA grass training pitch.

“The proposal does result in a net loss of open space, approximately seven percent of the site. The predominant use is for recreation and the proposal seeks to complement the existing recreational use in terms of extending the facilities. It is considered in accordance with the requirements of policy.”

The report adds: “Concerns were raised by objectors that the proposal would result in a loss of their view of the landscape nearby; however it is considered that the proposed pitches would have a negligible visual impact on the locality.

“The extension to the clubhouse will have no greater visual impacts than the existing building on site. All buildings and structures are of a scale and character that would be reasonably expected at a sports facility.

“The proposed scale, form, massing, design and materials are considered acceptable and will not adversely impact on local character. On balance, the proposal would not result in adverse visual impacts.”

It states: “The proposal will result in the loss of approximately 2600 metres squared of green space, which is approximately seven percent of the overall site, albeit that there is additional green space outside the red line of the development. The proposal’s small footprint in relation to the facility as a whole will not negatively impact the availability of open space.

“Officers are therefore satisfied that on balance, the loss of open space would not result in detriment to the overall green infrastructure provision. There would be no adverse landscape or biodiversity impacts, and the proposal would have minimal impact on sustainable drainage systems given the large areas of surrounding grassed open space.”

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