“I sat down with Alex, just the two of us in the room. And I said, ‘Look, the club isn’t where you may think it is. It is spending more than it’s earning and we’re going to finish up in some difficulties. Honestly, we can’t really afford to continue to pay you £2m a year,” Ratcliffe told an interviewer.

The change, which came into effect on Friday, May 1, gives tenants in the private rented sector in England the legal right to request permission to keep pets in their rented homes.

Under the Renters’ Rights Act, landlords cannot unreasonably refuse pet requests, marking a significant shift for Oxfordshire renters who have long faced blanket pet bans.

David Bowles, head of public affairs at the RSPCA, said: “This is an historic day for pet ownership.

“For too long, renters in England have been unfairly denied the potential joy of pet ownership.

“That ends thanks to this new law.

“This change is a lifeline – not just for families wanting to add a loving pet to the household, but for the many thousands of animals currently stuck in many full to bursting centres, who will now have many new opportunities to find loving adopters.

“Pet ownership is such a big commitment – but can be so rewarding.

“At the RSPCA, we are celebrating that the Renters’ Rights Act will facilitate happier, healthier tenants right across the country – and help us tackle a pet rehoming crisis.”

The charity has described the new law as an opportunity to ‘revolutionise’ pet ownership and believes it will give more animals a chance of finding a home, especially as many of its centres are currently at full capacity.

In recent weeks, the RSPCA has worked with the UK Government to highlight the impact the change could have for prospective pet owners.

The legislation also promises relief for current pet owners who often face the tough decision of giving up their animals to secure housing.

Mr Bowles said this scenario has been all too common.

He said: “There are gut-wrenching examples of people having to surrender their pets to access somewhere to live, because their tenancy agreement will not allow pets.

“Thankfully, those situations too will soon be a thing of the past.”

Among the animals who may benefit from the new law is Sweeny, a Mastiff who has spent nearly a year at the RSPCA’s Newbrook Farm Animal Centre in Birmingham.

Brittanny Baker, animal care assistant, said: “He’s been with us for 11 months now but he is constantly overlooked by potential adopters which breaks my heart.

“Sweeny may be a big boy, but he’s certainly got a big heart.

“He’s goofy, playful and loveable. He learns fast and enjoys training as well as quiet walks out, and playing in the off-lead paddock.”

More information about the RSPCA’s work and its Good Practice Guide for the housing sector can be found on the charity’s website.

Outline plans for up to 230 new homes were submitted to Fenland District Council

A new development has been accused of turning a town “almost into Milton Keynes” as councillors debated the traffic it would cause. An outline application for up to 230 new homes in March was put before Fenland District Council’s planning committee.

More detailed plans are yet to be drawn up, but the application said the new houses would be a variety of types and sizes with five play areas – two with playground equipment. One in five homes would also be marked as affordable housing.

Colin Male, a local resident, spoke to oppose the plans for land off Burrowmoor Road next to the grade II listed Cherryholt Farmhouse. He said he was “very concerned” about the number of new developments proposed for the south of town. He said their combined impact would “put an intolerable strain on the road network” and claimed local services are “already at breaking point.”.

Simon Atha, an agent speaking on behalf of developer Richborough, said it was “important to recognise” the site had been earmarked for future development. A new roundabout and traffic lights at the junction with the A141 were proposed with the development which Mr Atha said should be seen “as a significant public benefit.”

He said that without the development, the county council would have to fund the upgrade “at significant cost to the ratepayer” for safety and capacity reasons. He said the council officer’s report recommended “firmly in favour of approval”.

Cllr Charlie Marks said: “Before starting this, you’ve said that the roundabout and traffic improvements will be introduced before the first property is sold – that’s a very expensive way forward.”

Mr Atha said they had been working a “long time” with the council’s highways team and the improvements were needed to lessen impact on traffic. He added that the full planning application could be refused when brought to the council if these were to be removed.

Cllr David Connor, chair of the committee, added: “This application, to me – seems too good to be true really.”

Mr Atha told councillors the developer would be contributing £345,000 towards the March Area Transport Study – which seeks to identify and improve traffic infrastructure.

Cllr Ian Benney said: “You say you’re putting £340,000 back into this – a roundabout is £2 million at least and it’s a drop in the ocean really to the money that March needs spending on. It sounds like big money – but in reality it’s not.

“It wouldn’t pay for a set of traffic lights, it certainly wouldn’t pay for a roundabout. This doesn’t just fall to you, it falls on the other applications that are coming towards us – but all of this traffic is going to grind March to a halt.”

Cllr French said she was “not happy at all”, adding: “I just cannot believe that we’re going to have a roundabout and then agreeing to have some traffic lights.

“It took 20 years to get the traffic lights at Gaul Road which should have been a roundabout and then we’re going to have another roundabout at Knights End Road. I just think this whole thing is going to be a complete and utter shambles.”

Cllr Marks added: “I think on Cllr French’s point this is almost becoming Milton Keynes – roundabout after roundabout”

The committee voted unanimously to approve the application.

“We welcome the series to Northern Ireland as part of its next chapter”

A fresh reimagining of the iconic series ‘Monarch of the Glen’ is set to film in Northern Ireland.

5 has unveiled it will take viewers back to the Scottish Highlands for a rich, romantic and humorous family saga rooted in legacy, love and survival.

Coming back with a twist, the 6 x 60 comedy-drama series will now have a female lead, produced by Ecosse Films, makers of the original Monarch of the Glen series, and MASTERPIECE PBS, in association with Northern Ireland Screen.

READ MORE: Big Brother on the hunt for ‘stand-out characters’ from Northern Ireland for next seriesREAD MORE: Channel 4 series ‘Close to Home’ led by Anthony Boyle wraps filming in Belfast

A description reads: “When high-flying London lawyer Isla Campbell finds herself back at her family’s crumbling Highland estate for her estranged father’s funeral, she expects to be gone in days.

“Instead, she discovers she has inherited a million-pound debt, a bank closing in, and a brother who refuses to let go of their ancestral home.

“Under the same roof for the first time in years, brother and sister will have to find a way to save the struggling estate before time runs out and they lose it for good.

“The show will transport us to the stunning Scottish Highlands each week while introducing a rich ensemble of unforgettable new characters. This family saga promises heart, humour and romance – bound together by breathtaking landscapes, roaring hearths, and the people who call this wild corner of the world home.”

Production and filming for the new series will take place in Scotland and Northern Ireland later this year.

Sebastian Cardwell, Deputy Chief Content Officer and Head of Scripted, Paramount UK commented: “Monarch of the Glen is a much‑loved series, and this reimagining brings it back to life for a new generation.

“It’s a rich family saga with heart and humour at its core. With Jeremy Brock’s brilliant storytelling and the outstanding team at Ecosse Films, this is exactly the kind of big‑hearted, crowd‑pleasing drama that sits at the heart of 5.”

Jeremy Brock, Creator, Writer and Executive Producer said: “When I was offered the chance to re-imagine Monarch of the Glen, I leapt at it.

“I’m hugely excited by the opportunity to tell a story of family life and finding your place in our hectic world – one that celebrates the warmth, humour and eccentricities of a special community, with both optimism and authenticity.

“Hope and joy are a currency in short supply right now, and the Highlands – one of the most magical places on Earth – felt like exactly the right home for them.”

Richard Williams, Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Screen, added: “We are delighted to be partnering with 5 and Ecosse Films to support the return of this much loved series.

“Monarch of the Glen has a special place in UK television history, and this reimagining brings a fresh creative vision while staying true to the warmth, humour and heart that audiences cherish. We welcome the series to Northern Ireland as part of its next chapter.”

The series is created, written and executive produced by Jeremy Brock (A Very Royal Scandal, The Last King of Scotland, Mrs Brown), alongside writer Stephen Greenhorn (Sunshine on Leith, Dept. Q, River City). Tom Vaughan (Doctor Foster, Victoria) serves as director and executive producer.

Producers are Alex Boyd (How to Get to Heaven from Belfast), Robert Bernstein & Douglas Rae (Monarch of the Glen, The Trial of Christine Keeler, The Great Escaper, Fleming) alongside executive producers Rob Darnell and Adam Duncan for Ecosse Films. Susanne Simpson is the executive producer for MASTERPIECE.

Further details about the show including cast details will be announced in due course.

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The proposals seek permission to host occasional live music events and karaoke

An empty department store in a Huntingdonshire town could become a sports bar and restaurant under new plans. A listed building consent application submitted to Huntingdonshire District Council by Bailey’s Bar seeks approval to convert a partially Grade II listed building, previously a St Neots department store, into a sports bar and restaurant.

Under the proposals, the High Street site would be converted into a sports bar and restaurant with games and entertainment zones on the first floor. The second floor is proposed to be staff offices and an ancillary back-of-house accommodation.

The historic three-storey element of the building forms the listed portion while later 20th-century extensions to the side and rear are unlisted. The applicant seeks to “preserve the significance of the Grade II listed building and Conservation Area” and “contribute positively to the vitality and viability of the town centre”. A PureGym on the ground floor of the same building is not part of the proposed change of use.

The proposals also seek permission to host occasional live music events and karaoke facilities. Opening hours would be from 9am to 12am Monday to Saturday and 10am to 11pm on Sundays, with extended hours reaching 1am on selected Saturdays. Approximately 12 members of staff would be employed for front or house and between 3-6 in the kitchen.

The works include internal alterations and fit-out of the first floor, sympathetic refurbishment of listed building elements for staff and ancillary uses, and minor external alteration. This would include signage and repainting of the main entrance.

Sir Alex Ferguson was taken to hospital after falling unwell at Old Trafford shortly before Manchester United’s Premier League match with Liverpool on Sunday.

Sources stressed it was a precautionary move for the 84-year-old former Manchester United manager, and not an emergency situation.

Ferguson, who managed United for 27 years during a glittering reign, watches the club’s games from the directors’ box.

No further update has been provided on his condition after his admission to hospital.

Ferguson had a brain haemorrhage in 2018 which left him seriously ill. He spoke about his recovery in detail three years later.

He was pictured with guests at the stadium on Sunday a couple of hours before kick-off.

Ferguson was subsequently taken in an ambulance from Old Trafford to the hospital.

Club officials are optimistic Ferguson will soon be fit enough to return home.

The King declared ‘the force is with us’ while visiting a leading observatory in Bermuda this week.

Charles was treated to a tour of the site, operated by the UK Space Agency (UKSA), before it opens later this year and heard about Project Nova’s ambitious plans to tackle harmful space junk.

The area on the island was identified for its unique position in the world, which will allow the agency and its partners to track old satellites, rocket stages, and other objects.

Before unveiling a plaque at the site to announce its launch, Charles spoke to the Astra Carta team working with UKSA and revealed he had completed a garden with the design based on the revolution of the planets.

‘I’ve just done a garden based on the planetary movements, because if you trace them, it’s amazing how they all form the most beautiful patterns,’ he said.

‘It’s so interconnected, really, in all forms. So as they say, the force is with us.’

Earlier, the King went on an impromptu meet-and-greet with well-wishers when he opened a new Coastguard station at Great Bay on St David’s Island.

Some had waited hours in the sun and told him: ‘Thank you so much for coming’ and ‘It’s such a pleasure to have you.’

The first phase in the £40 million Project Nova is to establish three telescopes on the north west coast of Bermuda, about 620 miles off the US coast, that will be able to spot asteroids or rogue satellites heading towards Earth.

A decade ago, there were just a few hundred satellites in space, but today there are more than 12,000, with that number expected to pass 100,000 by 2030.

The new planned telescopes across British territories, including Bermuda, are powerful enough to see objects smaller than a Rubik’s Cube in low Earth orbit.

During a space debris demonstration, the King, pointing to the sky, asked: ‘So how much damage is going on up there?’

Charles’s Sustainable Markets Initiative has been heavily involved in the project through its Astra Carta, Latin for Charter of the Stars, environmental framework launched by Charles in 2020 to promote sustainability in the global space industry.

When Charles visited the new Great Bay Coast Guard station, he saw the operations room where staff can monitor CCTV images of the coastline and track vessels.

Speaking after the visit, Michael Weeks, Bermuda’s minister of national security, said that the first visit by a monarch since 2009 was ‘a very exciting time’.

He added that there was a ’50/50 split’ in Bermuda between those who think it should remain a British Overseas Territory and those who think it should be an independent nation.

The minister added: ‘But there’s no problem with a child leaving home at some point and standing on their own and taking care of themselves with the opportunity to reach out to the parent country if ever needed.’

Before waving goodbye to Bermuda from the top of the plane’s steps, Charles joined assembled Bermudan police motorbike outriders, security personnel and other officers for a large group photo.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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The woman is yet to be formally identified by police after the shocking discovery on Sunday morning

A woman’s body was found in a quiet woodland in the early hours of Sunday (May 3), triggering a major police response as officers investigate what they are calling an unexplained death.

Emergency crews raced to Killivose, near Camborne, Cornwall at around 7.45am after a report that a body had been discovered among the trees. Police say the woman has not yet been formally identified and efforts are under way to trace her family.

A cordon remains in place as detectives comb the area, with one witness telling Cornwall Live they saw “lots of police cars and three forensic vans” gathered near the woodland.

A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: “At 7.45am on Sunday, May 3, we received a report of a body found in woodlands in Killivose, in Camborne.

“Emergency services attended and a body of a woman was sadly located. A police presence is in the area and enquiries are underway to formally identify the woman and notify her next of kin. The woman’s death is currently being treated as unexplained.”

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The Met Office says the UK could be in for a taste of winter as temperatures could plummet well below 0C following this week’s 26C highs

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Despite the thermometer climbing to 26C this week, the Met Office warns temperatures could shortly drop well beneath 0C.

The national forecaster’s outlook today indicated overnight readings on Tuesday might sink as low as -5C across northern regions and -1C in southern parts. Wednesday’s overnight minimums of -3C are anticipated throughout the nation, reports the Mirror.

The Met Office predicts daytime highs will reach 18C on Tuesday before sliding to 15C on Wednesday – a stark contrast to the scorching conditions we’ve enjoyed lately.

Temperature variation charts for Tuesday display extensive blue zones spanning Scotland, Northern Ireland, North Wales, northern England and eastern districts. This highlights where readings will fall considerably below seasonal norms for this period.

The GFS weather model indicates the peak temperature nationwide could reach merely 8C on Wednesday morning. This marks a substantial decline from this week’s figures right across the UK.

The Met Office outlook for Tuesday through Thursday suggests conditions will be “turning cooler for all as northerly winds set in across the UK”. We should anticipate “some showers at times”, though “these [will be] lighter and fewer than the weekend”.

The BBC prediction notes: “On Tuesday, much of the UK will be dry with variable cloud, but there will be showers in the south-west and parts of the north.

“Wednesday is expected to be generally cloudy with a few scattered showers in the far north and across the west. Thursday looks to bring further showers to northern and western areas, while the east remain mostly dry with some sunny spells. Windier.”

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Fortunately, the Met Office anticipates temperatures will climb back towards typical levels later in the month. Its outlook for May 7 to May 16 indicates “a changeable theme” is probable, with most locations experiencing “some rain or showers at times, but also some drier, brighter weather”.

The prediction continues: “The emphasis on wetter conditions may be more towards the south and east at first, with low pressure perhaps more likely towards the south or east of the UK, before shifting further north later in the period as low pressure becomes more likely to set up to the north or northeast of the UK.

“After a cold start to the period, especially in the north, temperatures are likely to return to around average later.”