‘The design of the development will create a vibrant neighbourhood with strong connections to the local community’

Plans are under consideration to build over 200 houses in a sleepy Welsh village. Developer BDW Trading Ltd has lodged an application with Vale of Glamorgan Council to build 232 houses and a foodstore that could be as large as 20,000 sq ft on Church Farm in St Athan.

The development would feature a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom properties. These properties would be split into 150 homes for the open market, 54 social rented units and 28 “low-cost home ownership units”.

The application reads: “The development has been structured around a clear street hierarchy and integrated network of green infrastructure and public open spaces to create a high-quality and inclusive residential environment” For the biggest stories in Wales first sign up to our daily newsletter here

The affordable homes on site are located throughout the development, “providing integration with the open market housing”.

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Planning documents read: “The proposals make efficient use of the site by providing much needed market and affordable homes, in addition to a new foodstore.”

It continues: “The design of the development will create a vibrant neighbourhood with strong connections to the local community.”

The documents also outline that a total of 498 private car parking spaces will be provided, with the numbers per plot ranging from one to three depending on “dwelling size”

There will also be 48-off carriageway visitor parking spaces.

Four-hundred metres of hedgerow are proposed to be removed as well as 12 small hawthorn trees to make way for the development.

In return, a total of 200 trees are proposed to be planted across the development in addition to 600m of hedgerow, over 500sq m of “native shrub planting” and over 3,500sq m of native grassland and wildflowers.

The application reads: “The development includes the creation of several open spaces and green corridors within the site.

“This includes three large open spaces, with two primarily focusing on formal and informal play and the larger space combining informal play, biodiversity and sustainable drainage systems use.”

Regarding the proposed foodstore, the application reads: “Given the limited food retailing options within St Athan currently, the proposed foodstore would make a significant contribution to the settlement as a whole and reduce longer journeys by private car to other foodstores further afield.”

It continues: “The provision of a food store will have significant sustainability benefits and have the potential to create a range of new employment opportunities.”

In its latest operational update, the Ministry of Defence said RAF Regiment gunners downed multiple Iranian drones overnight, while UK Typhoons and F-35 jets, together with Wildcat helicopters, continued their defensive missions over Cyprus, Jordan, Qatar, UAE, and Bahrain.

Police responded to reports that a man had been hit by a vehicle between junctions 3 and 4, in the early hours of the morning.

Police were called to the scene at around 2.25am.

Emergency services attended, but the 24-year-old man died at the scene.

Officers are continuing to investigate the full circumstances of his death.

The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene and no arrests have been made.

Officers are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.

They are particularly keen to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from around the time of the collision.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or via the Live Chat service at gmp.police.uk, quoting log 313 of 03/04/2026.

After nearly half a century of quiet village life, residents in Halkyn claim the atmosphere around them has shifted dramatically. Locals living near a £1.6 million luxury holiday property in Flintshire claim noise and anti-social behaviour from visitors has disrupted what was once a peaceful rural setting.

However, the owners of the Old Church School insist they have taken every reasonable step to address neighbours’ concerns – resulting in a deadlock between both parties.

Guy Roberts, who resides with his wife and elderly father in the adjacent Old School House, claimed loud music and lighting continuing into the early hours of the morning, along with visitors celebrating in the rear garden of the 24-bed establishment, had destroyed the peaceful rural setting since it began welcoming guests in October, 2025.

“It’s simply not a suitable use for a property in this village,” Mr Roberts claimed. “When planning went in for a holiday let we thought that was what it would be, but it is almost like a venue.

“We have lived here for 46 years and this has changed the character of the place. I’m a truck driver, my wife is self-employed and has to work early so we need our rest. The noise is so bad my dad, who is deaf, is bothered by it.”, reports North Wales Live.

“We’ve tried to speak to the landlord, he agreed to put a device on the sound system to cut it off at 11pm but said he can’t stop guests bringing their own, which they are now doing.

“Also, the music is often on all day. It seems to be that people are coming for parties at the weekend rather than peaceful week-long holidays.

“They are out in the hot tub at all hours of the day and night and we can’t seem to get anywhere. We have reported it to the police but they can’t do anything and Flintshire County Council have set up equipment to monitor the noise but it is driving us crazy.

“We are not even in peak season yet so goodness knows what it will be like then.”

Mr Roberts has since sought the assistance of Brynford and Halkyn Cllr Fran Lister in finding a resolution.

“It’s clearly very distressing,” she said. “I remember when this went through planning as a holiday let and we had no objections as long as it’s not too noisy for the neighbours.

“It’s not fair that the neighbours are feeling this impact.” Make sure you never miss Wales’ biggest updates by getting our daily newsletter

However, a spokesperson for Halkyn Estates Ltd, the company running the property, stated that it had been taking residents’ complaints on board and working towards solutions.

“This was a Grade II Listed building that was falling into disrepair,” he said. “We spent £1.6 million to buy the building and refurbish it – preserving it for the community.

“We even included original artefacts, furniture and school photos from when it was a school in the interior.

“We have done everything by the book and I understand the problems residents have. We appreciate the issues around noise which is why we installed a shut-off system.

“We operate a number of properties and this is already a very popular one. We want to be part of the community and work with residents to resolve any issues because ultimately we want the tourism we bring to Halkyn to enhance the area.

“Guests are advised to be considerate of our neighbours and to ensure noise is kept down during unsocial hours.

“Our investment in the Old Church School has brought it back into use in a sustainable way. Between being a school and a holiday let the site was for some time a factory and when we bought it it still had planning classification as one.

“That would have created a lot more noise. We understand that our neighbours have concerns and we would welcome the opportunity to work with them to find a solution that suits everybody.”

The warning runs from 5pm on Saturday (April 4) until 7am on Easter Sunday (April 5).

It warns that Storm Dave will bring a spell of very strong winds – of 50-60mph in the York area – which may cause some damage and travel disruption.

The yellow warning says road and rail services are likely to be affected, with longer journey times and cancellations possible.

Power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage, it adds.

Some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs, could happen, the warning also suggests, adding injuries and danger to life from flying debris are possible.

A yellow weather warning has been issued for York ahead of Storm Dave (Image: Met Office)

Met Office deputy chief forecaster, Tom Crabtree, said: “Storm Dave will form and rapidly deepen on Saturday as it approaches the UK from the west.

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“By Saturday afternoon winds will strengthen significantly, with gusts of 60-70mph expected at times across parts of Scotland with the potential for gusts of 80-90mph in exposed coastal locations in Scotland.

“Gusts of 50-60mph are likely more widely in northern Britain.

“As well as strong winds, Storm Dave will also bring heavy snowfall over the hills in northern Scotland where up to 10-20cm of snow could accumulate.

“Along with the strong winds this will lead to blizzard conditions.

“Elsewhere there will be heavy spells of rain as the system moves through eastwards across the UK.”

A yellow wind alert has been announced for northern England, including several areas in Greater Manchester. The warning covers Bolton, Bury, Oldham and Trafford, as well as other parts of the region.

This alert is in place from 5pm on Saturday, April 4, until 7am on Sunday, April 5, due to the anticipated strong winds of up to 90mph in some parts of the UK.

#StormDave has been named and is forecast to bring damaging winds across northern parts of the UK, with some disruptive snow possible in northwest Scotland later on Saturday and into Easter Day #WeatherAware pic.twitter.com/J0NZYD2SPC

— Met Office (@metoffice) April 2, 2026

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This is different to the previous wind warning, which was previously in place from 6pm on Saturday, April 4 until 12pm on Easter Sunday.

According to Tom Crabtree, deputy chief forecaster at the Met Office, “Storm Dave will form and rapidly deepen on Saturday as it approaches the UK from the west.”

He added that parts of Scotland might experience gusts of 60-70mph, and some coastal areas could face winds as high as 80-90mph.

Gusts of 50-60mph are predicted to occur more commonly across northern Britain.

Northern Scotland may see heavy snowfall on the hills, accumulating up to 10-20cm of snow, alongside strong winds that could result in blizzard-like conditions.

Heavy rain is expected to spread across the UK as Storm Dave moves eastwards.

The Met Office warned that the strong winds pose a risk of causing injuries and danger to life from flying debris, which may also result in damage and travel disturbances across the affected areas.

While northern regions are anticipated to face more severe conditions, southern parts of the UK are not set to feel the impact of the storm.

Travel services, including road, rail, air, and ferry, are likely to be disrupted, with longer journey times and potential cancellations.

Certain roads and bridges might need to be closed, and power cuts could occur, possibly impacting other services such as mobile phone coverage.

Debris-related injuries and danger to life are forecasted, with large waves expected to pose a threat to sea fronts, coastal roads, and properties.

Precautionary advice encourages the public to ensure the safety of loose items around their homes and to prepare for any delays by checking travel conditions and schedules.

Residents near the coast are advised to be cautious of large waves and to be prepared for the quick updates in weather warnings.

The general public is continually advised to stay informed with the latest updates as Storm Dave was expected to move across Scotland on the night of Saturday into Sunday and off into the North Sea.

The storm is predicted to bring strong winds, primarily from the southwest direction.

The highest wind speeds are expected during Saturday evening, with a small chance of brief gusts of 70-80 mph, particularly in northern England and southern Scotland.

In addition to the strong winds, large waves could result in dangerous conditions around windward coasts.

People are advised to follow official advice to ensure safety.

Jurgen Klopp has his next football role arranged after making an emotional return to Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp is set to take on yet another new position this summer following an emotional return to Liverpool. The ex-Reds manager was back at the club last weekend as an assistant boss of the Liverpool Legends side that faced another of his former teams, Borussia Dortmund.

Klopp received a hero’s welcome as he oversaw an entertaining 2-2 draw at Anfield. Before and after the fixture, he participated in various community activities in support of the LFC Foundation. He continues to serve as an ambassador for the club’s charitable organisation, having taken up the role when he stepped down as Reds boss in 2024.

Following the event, Klopp shared photos on Instagram. Tagging in the LFC Foundation, he wrote: “Thank you to everyone who made my homecoming so special.”

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Klopp has embraced several new positions since departing the Reds. He joined the Red Bull Group as Head of Global Football in an advisory capacity before being appointed as an expert by the German Football League (DFL).

He now faces a hectic summer after being signed up as a pundit for the World Cup by German television and streaming service Magenta TV. Klopp revealed the news late last year in a video that hinted at a return to management, only to confirm he would instead be working as an analyst at the tournament.

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After strolling through a stadium, gazing wistfully at his surroundings, he told the camera: “Oh no, not as a manager. I am becoming a pundit for Magenta TV at the FIFA World Cup 2026.”

Klopp recently shut down rumours about a managerial comeback with Real Madrid to succeed Alvaro Arbeloa. He told reporters at the Magenta TV World Cup presentation event: “If Real Madrid had phoned, we would have heard about it by now.

“But that’s all nonsense. They haven’t called even once, not once. My agent is there, you can ask him. They haven’t called him either.”

Klopp has made it abundantly clear that should he return to the dugout, it wouldn’t be with another English club. His comments following the Dortmund legends fixture reinforced his enduring connection with the Reds.

He said: “Enjoyed every second. My role was definitely not to have a lot of words. I was here for the Foundation and to be part of a really special experience.

“For me, a very special experience after a while – being around, being that close, seeing all the Liverpool lads and then seeing the Dortmund lads as well, because that was like 80 per cent of my players. And you don’t meet very often and have them all together in one room. It’s really cool.”

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Everyone has their favourite pub, but has yours been named as one of the best?

Several Cambridgeshire pubs have been named as the best in the region. More than 250 pubs have been recognised in Tyrrells National Pub and Bar Awards 2026.

Of the pubs nominated, three Cambridgeshire favourites are among some of the best. These are: The Burleigh Arms in Cambridge, The Lion at Ickleton, and The Three Hills in Bartlow.

Tristan O’Hana, editor of Pub and Bar magazine said: “Our bigger and better format that debuted in 2025 was such a success, we can’t wait to roll it out again this year. The fact that the celebrations last from the long Easter weekend, when we celebrate this year’s County Nominees, right up until the awards night at the beginning of summer is no less than this wonderful industry deserves.

“We just want to do what we can to spread the word about these brilliant businesses.”

All of those nominated will be invited to a celebration in London, which takes place on June 10. The 94 county winners will be announced. Pubs that are highly commended will also be able to collect their certificates.

Do you want more of the latest Cambridgeshire news as it comes in from across the county? Sign up to our dedicated newsletter to make sure you never miss a big story from Cambridge or anywhere else in the county. You can also sign up to our dedicated Traffic and Crime newsletters for the latest updates on the topics you are most interested in.

British actor Jamie Bell is about to burst back onto screens in the new Peaky Blinders sequel series – but what does his life look like behind-the-scenes?

The 40-year-old screenstar was announced as the all-new Duke Shelby (played by Barry Keoghan in the movie and Conrad Khan in the original series), as we return to Birmingham in the aftermath of World War Two.

Showrunner Steven Knight has teased that this iteration of Tommy Shelby’s eldest illegitimate son will be ‘older, wiser, more ambitious and more dangerous’ as the city starts trying to rebuild in the wake of devastation.

Jamie will be joined by Downton Abbey’s Jessica Brown Findlay, Stranger Things star Charlie Heaton and Day of the Jackal’s Lashana Lynch and newcomer Lucy Karczewski in as-yet undisclosed roles.

The award-winning star first rose to fame after landing a historic Bafta aged 14 for his role as Billy Elliot in the movie of the same name 26 years ago.

But after a lifetime spent in front of the camera, what does it look like off-set?

Who is Jamie Bell married to?

Jamie Bell has been married to actress Kate Mara since 2017.

The Emmy-nominated actress has appeared in several high-profile TV shows and movies, including Netflix’s House of Card where she played Zoe Barnes, 24 as Shari Rothenberg and, most recently, Apple TV’s Imperfect Women.

The pair had known each other as far back as 2005, but remained acquaintances for a long time.

‘We were friends but not – we didn’t really know each other. And then we made the Fantastic Four movie together, which was a really interesting experience,’ she told the Where Everybody Knows Your Name podcast.

Both starred in the 2015 superhero action movie with Kate as Sue Storm and Jamie as Ben Grimm.

As Kate explained: ‘We got to know each other on it, and I thought, “Oh, he’s so great”. I just thought he was the best.’

Even then, she revealed, she initially attempted to set him up with other people until a year later when ‘we fell in love on the press tour of that movie ’cause it was trauma bonding.’

Does he have any children?

They soon realised ‘that was it’ and got married in 2017, before going on to have two children – a daughter, six, and son, three.

‘We just thought, “Oh, this is gonna be forever. Wonderful.” And here we are, a bunch of kids later and it’s the best,’ Kate said.

The family lived in Los Angeles at one time but now live just north of New York, with Jamie, used to the world of child actors, previously reflecting on their plans to keep their children away from the spotlight.

‘Not that anyone’s ever been particularly invasive with me – I go around with relative ease – but it’s just a poppa thing to think, “No, no, no”; that’s a different side of my life that no one sees,’ he told the Evening Standard.

He also shared admiration for his wife’s family (giants in the NFL world): ‘They’re an incredible family, so loving, connected and together. They’re functional.

‘It’s kind of an amazing surprise to know that stuff really exists. I come from a broken home… But to see parents who are together, who have raised four children, with no sign of splitting up, is a joy to watch.’

As well as his two children with Kate, he also has a son from his previous marriage.

Who has Jamie Bell previously been in a relationship with?

The Billy Elliot star was once married to actress Evan Rachel Wood, who met in 2005 when they played lovers in Green Day’s music video for Wake Me Up When September Ends.

The pair were briefly together before breaking up, during which time Evan dated Marilyn Manson and got engaged. When their relationship ended, however, she once more started dating Jamie, and they tied the knot in 2012.

A year later, in 2013, they welcomed their son, but only 10 months after, in 2014, they announced their divorce – although both have reiterated they remain on good terms.

A statement read at the time read: ‘This is a mutual decision and the two remain close friends.

‘They both love and respect one another and will of course remain committed to co-parenting their son.”

Talking about co-parenting with the Evening Standard in 2017, Jamie explined they ‘understood very quickly the importance of maintaining a good relationship’.

Although he acknowledged, ‘It’s tricky enough when you’re actors who are together. The kid is just going to have to get used to going here, going there.’

What are some of his most well-known movies and TV shows?

Backstreet Boys star Brian Littrell has sparked major backlash online after confronting an alleged trespasser on his private beach.

The 51-year-old singer – who rose to fame alongside Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, AJ McLean, and Kevin Richardson – got into a heated exchange with a sunbather outside of his multimillion-dollar mansion in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida.

Littrell stormed across the sand where beachgoer Kyle Gallagher was sitting, filming him from behind as he relaxed on his towel by the water.

Initially unaware of the Everybody hitmaker’s presence, Gallagher was scrolling on his phone and wearing headphones but jumped up startled when he realised he was being recorded.

What followed was an intense argument, during which many social media users believed Littrell used a homophobic slur, something he was forced to deny.

‘You cannot be putting s**t in my face, bro,’ Gallagher began, reaching out and attempting to shove the phone down, to which Littrell warned him: ‘Don’t test me.’

Gallagher quickly got to his feet, instructing Littrell to ‘get out of my f***ing face’, causing him to get defensive.

‘You can’t grab my phone, dog,’ Littrell told him, leading to Gallagher starting to film in retaliation.

‘I’m on the wet sand right now, bro,’ Gallagher retorted, saying Littrell ‘came in [his] face out of nowhere’ and saying to his camera: ‘Look at this gay s**t.’

As the row continued, Gallagher informed Littrell that he had ‘lived across the street for 20 years’, so he is ‘never going to be left alone’ out there.

‘I will,’ stated Littrell. ‘No, you will not,’ Gallagher laughed.

Littrell turned his camera around and said: ‘This is what I deal with. This is what I deal with. People like this.’

‘You came and shoved your phone in my face, bro. You’re lucky I didn’t knock you the f**k out,’ Gallagher shouted, becoming more irate.

Littrell also asked the local, ‘You wanna be gay?’ and called him a ‘p***y’.

The quarrel carried on, with Gallagher reminding Littrell that the beach had ‘public access’ and that he was ‘done for’.

‘I can’t wait ’til this gets out,’ Littrell smiled to his phone.

Having been mocked by Gallagher, who said any case would ‘get thrown out’, Littrell had attempted to press criminal charges; deputies visited Gallagher’s home the next day, where he reiterated that he was caught off guard by the phone being so close to his face, saying he felt threatened and only reached out as a reflex.

Consequently, Walton County authorities decided to drop the matter, concluding that his so-called video evidence did not show enough criminal intent to warrant pressing charges. The case was closed.

This led to Littrell suing the county last month, alleging that they had not protected him against trespassers.

However, a judge also dismissed this, to which Littrell’s attorney, Peter Ticktin, said: ‘Littrell was assaulted by a hostile beach protester. A report was made to the feckless sheriff’s office.

‘The assault was awful enough, but the fact that the sheriff’s office is not enforcing the law makes our whole community one of greater danger.’

Meanwhile, the footage is now doing the rounds online, with Ticktin issuing a fresh statement to The Independent: ‘Mr Littrell and his family purchased what they saw as their dream home, only to discover an ongoing pattern of trespassing and harassment targeting private property owners along their and their neighbours’ stretch of beach.

‘These actions are not about public access; public beaches exist on both sides of the neighbourhood and remain open and uncrowded.

‘Instead, certain individuals appear intent on challenging the very concept of private property rights.’

He also stressed that, despite claims of what people online heard, Littrell did not use a homophobic slur in the clip.

‘It is deeply troubling that these incidents have been allowed to escalate due to a lack of enforcement by the local sheriff’s office. Homeowners are entitled to safety and privacy on their own property, and Mr Littrell is no exception.’

Still, the video certainly hasn’t gained Littrell any new fans, with many criticising him for claiming to ‘own that part of the beach’.

@FFAFamily wrote on X that Littrell himself ‘is the problem’, adding: ‘He may own up by his house but definitely not by the water!’

@shermjanae called him a ‘whole Karen’, while @AncientArgonaut wrote: ‘So basically it’s a public beach and Brian felt the need to come down and harass the beach goer by shoving a phone in his face. For the crime of being near his house. He thinks it’s his beach. Prosecutor could see exactly what this was.’

@trishhyland said the incident was a ‘waste of police time’ after Littrell called 911, with @elina_vibes echoing: ‘Glad the prosecutors saw it for what it was—just a messy misunderstanding and not some criminal battery case.’

The quest for privacy has been an ongoing battle for Littrell and his family – wife Leighanne, 56, and their son, Baylee, 23 – with his family previously claiming the alleged trespassing has caused ’emotional distress’.

‘It’s scary to have to be in this small community with a lot of angry people, honestly, and then making us out to be these monsters that we’re not,’ Leighanne told Fox News. ‘We love this town, but now we don’t know where to eat because of who hates us.’

Their legal team has continued arguing that the beach is Littrell’s ‘backyard’, after he purchased the property in 2023 for $3.8million (£2.9m), records show.

As for the truth, Visit South Walton reports that public access to privately owned beaches is allowed up to 20 feet landward from the wet/dry sand line.

This area is known as the Transitory Zone, which the public is encouraged to enjoy at their leisure.

Sunbathing is also permitted in those areas from 9am to 4pm.

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