They include proposals for hundreds of homes, a spine road, and a new lido swimming pool

Outline plans for the major redevelopment of the Porthcawl seafront have been submitted after years of talks between the local authority and the town’s residents.

The hybrid plans which were submitted in April of 2026, will look for permission to build up to 980 new homes on Porthcawl’s waterfront along with the creation of a new spine road from the Eastern Promenade to Sandy Bay.

Documents say the site covers an area of 43.6 hectares and consists of a “mix of existing commercial and leisure brownfield (such as a fairground) with undeveloped green spaces to the east of Sandy Bay Bowl.” Stay in the know by making sure you’re receiving our daily newsletter

This includes Griffin Park, the former Coney Beach Pleasure Park, Monster Park, and the Hillsboro Car Park, and is bound by Trecco Bay Caravan Park to the east and the Portway road to the west.

If given the green light by Bridgend County Borough Council the new homes would be situated in the Salt Lake, Coney Beach, and Sandy Bay areas, with ambitions for 50% to be set aside as affordable housing that would “prioritise local people”.

Along with the new housing sites, these proposals would include plans to build a new lido swimming pool and gym, green spaces, shops, coastal defence works, and a number of other leisure attractions.

They could also see the alteration and expansion of the town’s Griffin Park if approved, along with proposed new facilities such as a MUGA sports area.

Additionally, part of the application requests permission to build a new 420m long single carriageway road, which would cut through a section of Griffin Park near the current tennis courts.

It says: “To the west, the spine road will connect to the Eastern Promenade in the form of a three-arm roundabout to the north of the existing ALDI foodstore.

“The spine road scheme will incorporate Mackworth Road, the southern arm of which will be provided as a simple priority junction.

“Its northern arm will be stopped up, forming part of the wider development parcels.”

The long-term and potentially transformative plans for Porthcawl have been met with a great deal of opposition from some locals over the years, with protests and a number of public events held by both the council and residents who are against the contentious scheme.

Critics have raised concerns about the potential pressures that the hundreds of new homes could put on local infrastructure as well as to local medical services and parking capacity.

Others have shared fears over a potential loss of the town’s identity in the wake of the regeneration with many preferring to see a new plan that focuses on tourism and leisure opportunities, as opposed to residential development.

Council bosses previously said they had addressed some of the issues within the plans with a number of changes after feedback from the public consultation process.

These included providing more public open space, reducing the number of proposed homes from an initial 1,100, and reducing building heights so that structures would be no taller than three or four storeys high.

They also say parking issues would be addressed with a refurbished open air car park at Hillsboro and a new public car park at Coney Beach.

The proposed changes for the town come less than a year after the closure of the iconic Coney Beach Pleasure Park in October 2025, which shut for the final time after more than 100 years.

It also comes amid the multi-million refurbishment of the town’s iconic Grand Pavilion and work at the Hillsboro South Car Park which is set to become a civic space for community events.

The submitted plans will now be considered for approval by Bridgend County Borough Council’s planning department in the coming months – with potential for the work to begin in 2027 if they are taken forward.

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These beaches along the Norfolk coast will have restrictions in place for dogs throughout the summer

Dogs will be banned from a number of beaches on the Norfolk coast from this weekend until the start of October. Restrictions limiting where dogs can go along the British coastline will be coming into place from Friday, May 1, and will last until Wednesday, September 30.

Certain beaches in Norfolk will also be subject to Public Spaces Protection Orders, which tackle anti-social issues. The orders help to keep popular tourist beaches clean and safe for the public to use throughout the peak season.

The orders might also be in certain areas to preserve nature and wildlife. According to GOV.UK, if you breach one of the orders, you get an on-the-spot £100 fine, or a fine of up to £1000 if the issue goes to court.

It is worth checking individual beaches before travelling, as dogs might be allowed on some parts of the beach but not others. You might also need to keep dogs on a lead in different places in seaside towns.

If you are looking to take a day trip to Norfolk and want to spend some time on the beach with your dog, you might want to avoid the beaches listed below.

Here are all of the Norfolk beaches that will be affected by the restrictions:

• Bacton
• Cromer
• East Runton
• Mundesley
• Overstrand
• Sea Palling
• Sheringham
• Walcott
• West Runton
• New Hunstanton
• Brancaster
• Hemsby
• Great Yarmouth
• Gorleston-on-Sea

The route linking Chorley, Adlington and Rivington operates on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Lancashire County Council is reintroducing service 125R, utilising Lancashire Combined County Authority bus grant funding from HM Government.

The service will operate on Sundays and Bank Holidays until November 1.

The route will run hourly between Chorley Interchange and Rivington Village Hall, with stops in Adlington and a new link to Adlington Railway Station, allowing passengers to connect easily with rail services.

The service will be operated by Pilkingtonbus. Lancashire County Council day tickets will be valid on the route, along with the discounted Sunday single fare.

Andrew Varley, head of service for passenger and fleet transport at Lancashire County Council, said: “This seasonal service provides a practical way for people to reach Rivington without needing to drive, particularly at busy weekends and Bank Holidays.

“The addition of a stop at Adlington Railway Station also makes it easier for passengers to combine bus and rail travel when visiting the area.”

Timetables and further information are available on the Lancashire County Council website.

A migrant tried to launch a terror attack against the Israeli embassy in London ‘as an act of revenge’ for Gaza.

Abdullah Sabah Albadri, 34, was caught scaling the fence of the diplomatic building in Kensington in April last year armed with two knives.

Footage shows the 34-year-old, wearing a red and white scarf wrapped around his head and sunglasses, being dragged down by armed officers before he is pinned to the ground.

He told officers he had weapons and wanted to ‘make a crime’ inside the Embassy.

Officers found a martyrdom note on him which explained that he intended to die ‘for the glory of God’.

Albadri had entered the UK via small boat from France that same month and had been researching how to secure asylum status.

But he was also found to heave searched various Arabic terms relating to suicide and martyrdom in the five days before the attemped attack.

Commander Helen Flanagan, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) London, said: ‘Albadri wanted to carry out a terrorist attack at the Embassy, but thanks to the courageous and swift actions of officers on duty, they prevented him from breaching the security perimeter and stopped what could have been a deadly incident.

‘I want to praise the officers’ incredible bravery and professionalism, which, remarkably, resulted in nobody being seriously injured – despite being confronted by a man armed with knives, intent on carrying out a terrorist attack.

‘Those officers responded within seconds, and after his safe arrest, a thorough investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing London ensured we gathered the evidence that secured this conviction.

‘Sadly, the Embassy has faced various security alerts in recent times. However, CTP works closely with the Embassy and our colleagues in the Met to continuously review and strengthen protective security plans to ensure the site and the wider community is kept as safe as possible.’

James Holder, 54, had gone back to the woman’s home

The co-founder of Superdry has been found guilty of raping a woman after a night out drinking. A court heard how James Holder, 54, had gone back to the woman’s home, went to the toilet and then promptly fell asleep on her bed snoring.

The multi-millionaire fashion boss, the co-founder of the clothing brand, then woke up and beckoned the woman, who was trying to sleep in the lounge, into her bedroom and raped her.

Holder had denied charges of assault by penetration and rape and said what sexual activity took place between them was consensual.

A jury at Gloucester Crown Court, sitting in Cirencester, acquitted Holder of assault by penetration but found him guilty of rape after deliberating for four hours.

Holder, who wore a dark suit and light blue shirt and tie, showed no emotion as the verdicts were returned.

The court heard the woman was attacked in the early hours of May 7 2022 after a night out at a bar in Cheltenham.

Holder and a friend had gone back to her home uninvited, and he attacked her after waking from a short nap on her bed.

Giving evidence, the woman said she was crying and asking the married father-of-two to stop but he carried on.

The ordeal ended when she managed to escape the bedroom, and Holder left her home a short time later.

The woman denied suggestions from Holder’s barrister that she had initiated the encounter.

“He forced me to try and perform oral sex on him,” she said.

Michelle Heeley KC, defending, said: “Sex lasted for approximately 20 minutes.”

The woman replied: “I call it rape.”

Ms Heeley suggested: “This was a drunken sexual encounter that you regret?”

She replied: “Incorrect.”

The court heard the businessman and philanthropist was “old school and chivalrous” towards women and “adored sex”.

He told the jury she had kissed him first and it was “evident what she wanted to happen”.

“We walked to the bedroom, which was about a minute away … and began kissing again,” he said.

He told the court the complainant performed oral sex on him before they progressed to consensual sexual intercourse, but stopped when she said it was becoming painful.

“I did not see or hear her crying at any point,” he said.

Asked why he left the flat a short time later, Holder replied: “I had been out for much longer than I anticipated and I needed to go home.

“I let myself out. She was asleep on the bed.”

Under cross-examination, Holder denied the reason he had gone to the woman’s home was that he “saw an opportunity to have sex with her”.

James Haskell, prosecuting, asked: “You saw something you wanted and you took it, because the truth is that when you got to the doorway of the living room you said something like: ‘What’s happening, is everything all right?’ as you wanted to entice her to the bedroom and that’s why you said: ‘Can you show me?’

“It ended because she managed to escape off the bed.”

Holder replied: “That’s not correct. She fell straight to sleep. She was fast asleep, so I popped my clothes on and left.”

Mr Haskell asked: “Is the truth that it suddenly dawned on you of the reality of what you had just done, and you wanted to get out of the flat as soon as possible?”

Holder replied: “No, not true.”

The defendant, of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, was remanded into custody ahead of sentencing at Bristol Crown Court on May 7.

Miss Heeley had asked for bail before the sentencing hearing to allow Holder “to put his affairs in order”, saying he had attended court promptly throughout the trial.

“I ask for bail as a matter of mercy to say goodbye to his wife and children and to put his affairs in order and financial matters,” she said.

“This is a plea of leniency and mercy for this man at this stage.”

Recorder David Chidgey refused the bail application saying Holder was a flight risk following his conviction.

“Mr Holder is a man of considerable means and in my judgment the temptation to attempt to use his considerable resources to flee is too great as he faces a considerable custodial sentence,” he said.

“On one view the victim is this case did not have the opportunity to put her affairs in order when she suffered an appalling distressing event.”

The 15-year-old died after attending a country music festival almost four years ago

Police are set to take a further 40 statements over the next four to six weeks in relation to the death of a teenager in Co Tyrone almost four years ago.

Matthew McCallan was just 15-years-old when he died after attending a country music event in Fintona in December 2022. After a two-day search involving the local community, PSNI, and the Community Rescue Service, Matthew’s body was found in a ditch just two miles from the festival he had attended.

At a pre-inquest review hearing held on Friday, May 1, counsel for Coroner Joe McCrisken said progress has been made, with 135 pages of new material disclosed in relation to the case. As well as this, Mr Quinn added that CCTV exhibits were also available to the coroner and this would be assessed for its relevance to the inquest.

READ MORE: Co Tyrone mum fighting for answers three years on from son’s tragic death after night outREAD MORE: Matthew McCallan: Family launch fundraiser for new search and rescue kit on first anniversary of son’s death

The coroner was told this new information would not extend the case beyond its current and set scope, as it was looking at the immediate response, and civilian witnesses. Mr Quinn said the new statements would be provided to the coroner’s office on a rolling basis within the next four to six weeks.

Additionally, he said an official within the Police Ombusman for Northern Ireland (PONI) office who had been dealing with the case had retired, with a new person now tasked to the case. A meeting was due to take place with their investigation team on new potential information.

The pre-inquest review also heard that discussions were taking place on whether expert evidence would be called during the inquest, and that it was also being reviewed whether a jury would hear the inquest.

Matthew’s parents had previously expressed concerns regarding the lack of progress with the inquest. Counsel for the next of kin, Michael McCartan, said it was clear “momentum is now building” in relation to the case.

A further pre-inquest review hearing has been scheduled to take place on June 26.

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The paid summer internship, established in memory of the former Livingston MP and Foreign Secretary, offers S5 and S6 pupils from across the constituency the opportunity to gain first-hand experience of political life both locally and at Westminster.

Livingston MP Gregor Poynton has announced that the application deadline for the 2026 Robin Cook Internship has been extended following strong interest from local students.

The paid summer internship, established in memory of the former Livingston MP and Foreign Secretary, offers S5 and S6 pupils from across the constituency the opportunity to gain first-hand experience of political life both locally and at Westminster.

Applications will now close at midday on Friday, May 15, giving more young people across the Livingston constituency the opportunity to apply.

The successful applicant will undertake a two-week placement during summer 2026, working alongside Mr Poynton and his team in the constituency and at the House of Commons in London.

READ MORE: Almond Valley SNP candidate visits Livingston Community Shed

Announcing the extension, Mr Poynton said: “I’ve been really encouraged by the strong level of interest we’ve already seen in this year’s Robin Cook Internship.

“I want to make sure as many young people as possible across the Livingston constituency have the chance to apply, so we are extending the deadline to make sure we get as broad a range of applications as possible for this years programme.

“This internship is about opening up opportunities and showing young people that they can play a real role in shaping their communities and the future of our country. I would encourage anyone who is interested to put themselves forward.”

Applicants are required to submit (by email to Gregor.Poyton.MP@Parliament.uk) a CV and a 1,000–1,500 word essay on the theme:

“How Can Young People Shape the Future of the Livingston constituency?”

The internship pays the Real Living Wage and is open to S5 and S6 pupils attending schools across the Livingston constituency.

READ MORE: Girls at West Lothian school establish clothing bank with touch of class

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Cambridge voters can cast their vote a week early in a new pilot scheme

Voters have praised a new pilot scheme allowing them to cast their vote for next week’s election early.

Alex Downie and his wife Fiona came to vote at the Guildhall in central Cambridge – one of three locations where votes can be cast this week from Thursday to Saturday. He said: “I think it’s a very good idea, because if you’re going on holiday it’s otherwise very awkward to vote – it’s important for democracy.”

The 77-year-old said they would register for postal vote otherwise, but praised the scheme for making voting much more convenient. He said: “It’s better this way because we come into town quite a lot – it’s nice and straight forward.”

Fiona, 66, added: “It’s fantastic, because as Alex said we were going to be away so we didn’t want to do a postal vote because it’s more hassle. Sometimes it’s hard to vote when you’re working, I once almost missed it. This was perfect – quick, easy and we were coming into town anyway. Do it all the time, do it in the general election!”

Voting will be open from 9am until 6pm and votes can also be cast at the Meadows Community Centre on Arbury Road and Clay Farm Centre in Trumpington.

Chris Burton said: “It was a very, very, efficient experience – immensely convenient because I’m not here next week and I don’t want to go through the postal vote and all of that. I do tend to be away from Cambridge the first or second week in May – this week is earlier, it’s the first week.”

Though he said he’s never failed to vote while being away, the 80-year-old said: “It just gets more complicated when you’ve got to take a postal vote.

“The fact you can come here and bring the day forward effectively works very well indeed – so as long as the system works on a legal basis, that’s all that matters.”

Corin Hoad praised the flexibility, after a last-minute change of plans meant he couldn’t make it to vote in person on May 7. The 32-year-old said: “It means I can still make it without having to worry about getting a last-minute postal vote or anything like that.

“You should have another few days to vote and have that flexibility – it should enable a lot more people to vote for a politician they might not have been able to.”

Vicky Jenner, electoral services manager at Cambridge City Council, said turnout was “busier than we expected” suggesting earlier voting “is an appealing option for many.”

She said: “We’ve received some very positive feedback from early voters, and in fact some people were so keen to take part that they were queuing outside at 9 o’clock this morning, waiting for the doors to open. Ultimately, giving people more options for how they can cast their vote is about strengthening democracy and enabling even more people to get involved in important decisions affecting their lives and the place they call home.”

A sci-fi horror film has been ranked the best British film of the 21st century in the BFI’s prestigious Sight and Sound critics’ poll

Determining which films truly deserve the title of greatest of all time is no simple task, yet many have attempted it, including Britain’s own British Film Institute (BFI). Since 1952, Sight and Sound, the BFI’s esteemed magazine, has conducted a decennial poll to identify cinema’s finest achievements.

The most recent edition in 2022 saw more than 1,600 film critics, programmers, curators, archivists and academics submit their personal top 10 choices. These votes are compiled into a definitive ranking of the 250 greatest films ever made.

Given the sheer scale of this catalogue, we’re highlighting the list’s top-ranked British film from the 21st century – Under the Skin, a compelling thriller featuring Scarlett Johansson as an alluring extraterrestrial who drives through Scotland hunting for victims.

This sci-fi horror represents the vision of English director Jonathan Glazer, whose later work, The Zone of Interest, garnered accolades at the BAFTAs and Cannes in 2023.

A decade earlier, though, Glazer loosely adapted Under the Skin from Michel Faber’s novel of the same title. Johansson plays an unnamed extraterrestrial in human form who targets vulnerable, isolated men.

Remarkably, numerous sequences showing Johansson’s character travelling across Scotland and approaching men were genuine encounters filmed with concealed cameras, reports the Express.

While the novel explicitly reveals her ultimate purpose (specifically, to murder and process the men as food) without mystery, the film adopts a considerably more cryptic stance.

Explaining its position at number 169 on the list, the BFI stated: “The icily brilliant Scarlett Johansson stars as an alien predator scouring Scotland’s streets for human prey, in Jonathan Glazer’s astonishing amalgam of fantasy and reality.

“Mixing mind-bending visuals and hallucinatory sound design with an unexpected naturalism, Glazer returned to the screens after a nine-year absence in audacious style, utilising guerrilla filmmaking tactics to capture Glasgow and its unsuspecting inhabitants with intimate realism.”

The film holds a favourable 83% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, though its deliberately ambiguous narrative divided opinion, as the website’s critical consensus readily acknowledges.

“Its message may prove elusive for some, but with absorbing imagery and a mesmerising performance from Scarlett Johansson, Under the Skin is a haunting viewing experience.”

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At the film’s Venice Film Festival premiere, the Guardian described it as a “genuine Marmite moment”, noting: “Some saw it as a masterpiece, others as a bore. The film’s closing credits played out to an accompaniment of booing.”

Despite performing poorly at the box office, the picture still earned BAFTA nominations for Outstanding British Film and Best Original Music.

A glowing review from the Chicago Sun-Times said: “This is what we talk about when we talk about film as art.”

Film lovers continue to argue over whether the picture genuinely warrants recognition as one of the finest.

“I just watched Under the Skin and I can’t decide whether it is a masterpiece or a terrible movie,” asked one viewer on Reddit in 2025, more than ten years following the film’s debut. “What is your opinion?”

One replied: “It’s one of the best movies of the previous decade.” Another concurred: “Masterpiece absolutely. Couldn’t stop thinking about that movie for weeks. Still think about it sometimes.”

A third summed it up: “It’s one of my favourite films, but one of my friends who I saw it with in theatres despised it.”

Under the Skin is available to stream on platforms including Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Sky Store and Google Play.