Connections - Winter 2023-24

Mid and East Antrim Borough Residents’ Magazine

Winter 2023 - 24

First past the post!

Page 6 Inside: 7 St Patrick’s Regeneration

10 What’s on in MEA

17 Bumper Year for Tourism 1

Get in touch We are always looking at ways to make it easier for you to engage with us at Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.

We welcome your queries, comments and suggestions.

You can contact us directly by telephone on 0300 124 5000

Welcome Alternative Formats If you would like this publication in an alternative format such as large print, please contact us at communications@midandeastantrim.gov.uk or call 0300 124 5000. This magazine will also be printed in limited quantities and presented in our main Council offices, plus available to read online at www.issuu.com/meabc

You can visit or write to us at any of the offices below: Ballymena (Civic headquarters) The Braid, 1-29 Bridge Street, Ballymena BT43 5EJ Ballymena – Ardeevin Ardeevin, 80 Galgorm Road, Ballymena BT42 1AB Carrickfergus Civic Centre, 11 Antrim Street, Carrickfergus BT38 7DG Larne Smiley Buildings, Victoria Road, Larne BT40 1RU

Keep up-to-date You can keep up-to-date with us on social media. We use Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to share the latest news, events and information from Council.

Welcome to our Winter edition of Connections, the magazine of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council. We want to keep you updated on local developments and events taking place across the borough so keep reading to find out about The Best of the Best awards for our parks; exciting ventures through regeneration; a new planning manual for all you keen house builders plus a variety of events to banish those January blues.

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Waste & Recycling

05

Science Summer School

06

Local Democracy Week

06

Performance Improvement Plan

MEA Borough Council twitter.com/mea_bc instagram.com/meaboroughcouncil If you have any comments on the magazine, please contact:

Keeping our communities safe The Autumn/Winter edition of the Neighbourhood Watch newsletter is now available to view or download from our website. This initiative aims to build community confidence; provide crime prevention advice; present practical safety tips and encourage residents to work together making our neighbourhoods a safer place.

Neighbourhood Watch Newsletter

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St. Patrick’s Regeneration

Performance Improvement Plan 2024-2025 Consultation Document

www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk

08

Leisure

10

What's on in MEA

12

Sustainable Food

19

MEA Tourism

12

Parks & Open Spaces

With Christmas fast approaching, this edition delves into safe online shopping tips, festive season fire safety plus money and energy efficiencies. To get your copy, visit www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Autumn/Winter 2023 midandeastantrim.gov.uk

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Mid and East Antrim Connections Autumn 2023

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Local Development Plan

If you have any questions on Connections Magazine, please contact us at: communications@midandeastantrim.gov.uk or call 0300 124 5000.

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Waste & Recycling

Economic Events Development

Christmas Bin Collections Black/Brown/Blue Bin Collections

Kerbside Boxes Collections

Date

Ballymena

Larne

Carrickfergus

Date

Ballymena

Carrickfergus

25 December

23 December

23 December

23 December

25 December

23 December

23 December

26 December

30 December

30 December

30 December

26 December

30 December

30 December

1 January 2023

30 December

6 January

6 January

1 January 2023

30 December

6 January

Prestigious school event returns with Professor Brian Cox CBE! It’s back! The Science Summer School returns to Mid and East Antrim, culminating in a flagship event in The Braid, Ballymena on 23 January 2024.

Button Batteries Safety Button batteries, in particular big, powerful lithium coin cell batteries, can badly hurt or kill a small child if they swallow one and it gets stuck in their food pipe.

If you think your child has swallowed a button battery, don’t delay, take them to A&E straight away or call 999 for an ambulance.

Established in 2012 at St. Paul’s Way Trust School in East London by Lord Andrew Mawson OBE and Professor Brian Cox CBE, the Science Summer School was hosted in Northern Ireland for the first time in November 2022! Following on from the successful inaugural event, we are excited to announce that the Professor will be attending the main event in January in person. He’ll be joining pupils from across the borough for another fun-filled day of wacky and wonderful STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths) based workshops, presentations, fascinating facts and much more!

Registrations for this inspiring event are now open!

The Science Summer School event is part of a wider initiative connecting schools with local companies.

Many schools have benefited from this programme over the past year - visiting major employers in the borough to get a first hand look behind the scenes and learn about the career pathways available.

To find out more contact amplify@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Don’t let them eat or drink and don’t make them sick.

For more advice see CAPT.org.uk/button-batteries buttonbatterysafety.com

Christmas Wrap The excitement of unwrapping gifts is all part of the Christmas magic… and did you know that cardboard packaging, Christmas cards and wrapping paper can then be put into your kerbside box or blue bin for collection?

REMEMBER to do the Scrunch Test! If you scrunch the paper up and it stays in a ball, it can be recycled. If it bounces back, it more than likely contains plastic or another non-recyclable material and should be put into your black bin.

Check out this handy video on the scrunch test! www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PBps0ccvXc

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Mid and East Antrim Connections Autumn 2023

Apprenticeship Week 2024 Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Week returns in 2024 from 5 to 9 February, aiming to raise the profile of apprenticeships across Northern Ireland.

We will be delivering an exciting series of in-person events in partnership with local employers, training providers and further education colleges.

The week aims to showcase the vast variety of opportunities and roles available through apprenticeships and how these can help transform the future of businesses.

A full list of events and opportunities will be available to view on www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk To find out more you can contact amplify@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

reimagine HOW YOU MEET

Take your conference, meeting or event to the next level ✓ Free WiFi ✓ Onsite catering ✓ Hybrid meeting options Secret Garden Café open 7 days a week Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm | Sat - Sun 10am - 5pm

Meetings from £15 - £50, scan for booking information Kernohan’s Lane, Broughshane Road, Ballymena BT43 7QA

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Corporate

Events Regeneration

First past the post!

We’d like your say

Democracy Week returns in March and this year we’re mixing it up by introducing Top Children’s Author elections in our local primary schools. Pupils will have eight candidates to choose from with the majority vote declared the winner!

New leisure, health and wellbeing centre destined for St Patrick’s Regeneration Site.

The eight nominated authors are: • Dara McAnulty – Diary of a Young Naturalist • Francesca Simon – Horrid Henry • Paddy Donnelly – The Vanishing Lake • Liz Weir – Boom Chick Boom • Angeline King – Children of Latharna • Ellan Rankin – The Secret Elephant • Hilary M Bailey – Skye learns to swim • JK Rowling – Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Enabling our young voters to experience the democratic process whilst encouraging a love of reading – future leaders in the making!

Our Performance … your feedback Consultation opens soon on our annual Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) for 2024/25 and we would encourage your views on our proposed objectives.

For us ‘improvement’ is not just about gains in outputs or efficiencies. It is about focusing on the issues that are important to you, helping us to achieve our vision of improving the quality of life for all. As part of this consultation we will be proposing three Improvement Objectives alongside potential actions, based on the findings of our Citizen’s Survey in 2022 and in support of our long-term goals.

The PIP Consultation will be available to view at www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk from early January – take time to consider our proposals and tell us your thoughts. The consultation will remain open for 12 weeks until 2 April 2024 and you can also pick up a questionnaire from one of our main council offices or leisure centres located across Mid and East Antrim.

“Mid and East Antrim will be a strong, vibrant, safe and inclusive community where people work together to improve the quality of life for all” 6

Mid and East Antrim Connections Autumn 2023

Performance Improvement Plan 2024-2025 Consultation Document

www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk

The St Patrick’s Regeneration project led by the Department for Communities (DfC) has begun to transform this key location spanning 15 hectares close to the centre of Ballymena. St Patrick’s Link road, a key piece of infrastructure central to unlocking access to the regeneration site is now open. Radius Housing is progressing at pace with its new development at St Patrick’s which will see the construction of 135 mixed tenure residential properties providing shared housing for all.

Northern Regional College also continues to make impressive progress with their new campus at Farm Lodge.

We are working with these key partners and others to deliver a high quality, mixed-use development at St Patrick’s, aiming to create a wide range of social, economic and cultural benefits across the borough.

for this modern facility, to include a 25-metre pool with viewing gallery, learner pool, spa facility, fitness suite, 4 court sports hall, café, community hub as well as clip and climb and soft play area.

We are on target for submitting the Planning application in Spring 2024. Prior to this we will be undertaking further public consultation on the project and feedback from residents of the borough is welcomed. When the consultation goes live this winter we plan to have drop in days - if you’re unable to attend in person why not visit our website for all the latest updates and information at midandeastantrim.gov.uk/st-patricks-regeneration

One of our site proposals is to establish a new leisure, health and wellbeing centre. The design team appointed in Spring 2023 is developing plans 7

Leisure

Events Leisure

Stay Active at a level that’s right for you!

Cancer and its treatment can make things feel very uncertain. Doing something for yourself like becoming more active can help you feel more in control.

Research suggests that along with having a healthy diet, being physically active can help reduce the risk of some cancer types coming back. It can also help reduce the risk of developing other health problems, such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

Being active before, during and after treatment is safe. It can: • reduce tiredness (fatigue) • help look after your heart • reduce anxiety and depression • help you keep to a healthy weight • strengthen your muscles • improve bone health • improve your flexibility and ability to stretch • improve balance • increase your confidence.

Our activities are suitable for everyone, regardless of where you are in your cancer journey. It also provides an opportunity for you to meet other people in a similar situation, helping reduce the loneliness and isolation often experienced by people in your shoes.

The physical activity can be group-based or individually tailored depending on needs. It can be anything from going to the gym, walking, sports classes, gardening, swimming or anything that gets people moving more.

Our Move More Coordinator, Paula, is a passionate advocate of the benefits of physical activity. She is encouraging people who are feeling the impact of cancer on their physical or emotional wellbeing to get in touch.

For more information on how to get involved contact Paula on 07939 634 434 or email move.more@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

What is the Physical Activity Referral Scheme (PARS)?

Get MEActive with our Physical Activity Referral Scheme (PARS), designed to help you manage your chronic conditions.

Delivered in partnership with the Public Health Agency (PHA), and Council, PARS is a physical programme that will last 12 weeks. Designed to benefit those with health-related conditions, it aims to provide them with regular physical activity under the guidance of qualified exercise professionals. The programme helps individuals manage and improve their overall health conditions and encourages people of all abilities to take part, offering support and motivation to become physically active.

midandeastantrim.gov.uk/MEActive

What Can You Expect from PARS? This physical programme will include the following: • An initial consultation with a specialised exercise instructor • Gym induction • Reviews every four weeks to track your progress • 12-week free membership to use the gym and swimming pool • Reduced monthly membership fee after completing the scheme • PARS specific weekly Gym and circuit style classes.

For further information and eligibility, please visit: www. midandeastantrim.gov.uk/PARS Contact for more information: Larne - john.grant@midandeastantrim.gov.uk Carrickfergus - gemma.brown@midandeastantrim.gov.uk Ballymena - peter.gregg@midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Water Babies of MEAqua After a successful launch of our MEAqua Tots and Toddlers programme this year in Larne Leisure Centre, we are pleased to announce that these lessons will now be rolled out in Amphitheatre Carrickfergus.

Introducing little ones as young as 3 months to the joy of water, they will learn and experience the aquatic world around them through song, play and guided discovery with our wonderful staff.

Lessons for MEAqua Tots and Toddlers will be advertised on both Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and leisure centres’ social media platforms, as well as the MEActive App before booking windows open in lateDecember.

MEAqua Dives Back In Our MEAqua Learn to Swim Academy continues to thrive and now provides lessons to over 1,900 swimmers per week across the borough, aged between 3 to 70 years old, with more lessons on the way!

Booking for the next period of MEAqua lessons will open in late-December for start dates in January 2024. These booking opening days and times will be advertised extensively on our social media platforms and the MEActive app too. We are hoping to add further lessons to each centre’s current offering as demand is very high for learn to swim programmes.

Over our three leisure centres, MEAqua offers a comprehensive programme:

Amphitheatre Tuesday to Friday – 2.15pm-6.15pm (MEAqua Adults Wednesday 7.15pm-9pm) Wednesdays 12noon – 1.45pm (MEAqua Tots and Toddlers) Saturdays – 8.30am-12.45pm For full details and more information on MEAqua, please visit our webpage www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/MEAqua All the teachers and staff at MEAqua wish you a swimmingly wonderful Christmas and splashtastic New Year!

Seven Towers Leisure Centre Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday – 2pm to 6.30pm (MEAqua Adults Thursdays 7.15pm-9pm) Saturday - 8.30am-12.15pm Larne Leisure Centre Mondays – 10am – 12noon (MEAqua Tots and Toddlers) Tuesday to Friday – 2pm to 6.30pm Saturdays – 8.30am-12.45pm

Join MEAqua midandeastantrim.gov.uk/MEAqua

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Mid and East Antrim Connections Autumn 2023

9

Arts

Events

Start 2024 with Larne Arts An exciting line up to banish those January blues – why not take in a show at Larne’s McNeill Theatre?

Jake O’Kane “The Inappropriate Tour” Thursday 04 January 2024, 8pm Roll up, roll up, the Jake O’Kane circus is back in town. After a decade of sell-out tours, Jake is back with his annual multimedia roundup of the year’s events in NI and beyond. It’s going to be a no holds barred fun fest of puncturing political pomposity. Nobody is safe as Jake turns his keen wit on himself and his personal peculiarities. As always, he’s ably supported by ringmaster twostroke Terry McHugh. Don’t miss this colossal combination of comedic clownery - book early, book often.

Rock N Roll Years Thursday 01 February 2024, 8pm A wonderful nostalgic musical evening and one of the happiest shows on the road; The all-star cast will once again take you on a whirlwind journey through the musical decades of the 50s and 60s. Paying homage to the lives and music of the Everly Bros, Johnny Cash, The Four Seasons, Ruby Murray, Bobby Darin and Elvis! Plus, many of your favourites!

The Legend of Luke Kelly Thursday 14 March 2024, 8pm The Legend of Luke Kelly is an authentic show celebrating the life and songs of Ireland’s most iconic and greatest folk singer. Created and performed by the renowned Chris Kavanagh the show is not a tribute but a journey through Luke’s music that has received rave reviews in Ireland and abroad.

An overwhelming endorsement of authenticity are the huge number of followers and regular sell-out performances in Ireland’s most prestigious venues 10

Mid and East Antrim Connections Autumn 2023

such as Vicar Street and Cork Opera House.

In 2011 Chris was asked by John Sheahan to perform with The Dubliners on their German tour and Luke’s family are still in regular attendance at his concerts.

Give My Head Peace Wednesday 20 March 2024, 8pm After yet another sell-out run at the Grand Opera House in 2023 the Give My Head Peace gang return with a brand-new show that’s guaranteed to be hilarious. Da, Cal, Ma, Billy the Peeler, Dympna, Pastor Begbie and Sandy the Kneebreakers Barman will bring their unique take on life and the year’s events in Northern Ireland.

There will be topical jokes, satire, the odd song and barnstorming stand-up comedy from Tim McGarry.

What’s on at The Braid?

Following festive festivities and pantomime season, The Braid Arts programme continues with a variety of go-to shows. So whether music is your vibe or celebrating the hilarious antics of Father Ted, why not visit www.thebraid. ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows for more information and to book tickets.

Cre8 Theatre presents Robin Hood and the Peaceful People Posse – The Pantomime Saturday 16 December – 28 December The Braid Arts Centre

Jake O’Kane “The Inappropriate Tour” Thursday 18 January The Braid Arts Centre

Midtown Sounds Meet ups Informal music sessions/Jams Friday 2, 9, 16, 23 February Upstairs at Follow Coffee on Greenvale Street Give My Head Peace Live Monday 18 March The Braid Arts Centre

Ballymena Chamber Orchestra: A Christmas Celebration Thursday 21 December The Braid Arts Centre

Thank You for the Music – Peter Corry Friday 22 March The Braid Arts Centre

Christmas Country Showtime with the Stars Friday 29 December The Braid Arts Centre

A celebration of Father Ted with Joe Rooney Saturday 23 March The Braid Arts Centre

Big Love – A tribute to Fleetwood Mac Friday 19 January The Braid Arts Centre

The Comedians Featuring-Roy Walker, Jimmy Cricket, Adrian Walsh, Gene Fitzpatrick Thursday 21 March 2024, 8pm Northern Ireland has produced some great comedy acts, in an evening of classic comedy we have some of the finest. Roy Walker of Catchphrase fame, Jimmy Cricket ‘Come Here There’s More’, Gene Fitzpatrick ‘the star of the County Down’ and the comedy master that is Adrian Walsh, come together for a hilarious night of classic comedy at the McNeill Theatre. Musical accompaniment and laughter from the comedy showband legends, Clubsound.

Tale of the Frozen Heart Saturday 6 January The Braid Arts Centre

JMG Presents The Stars Of Country Show Saturday 20 January The Braid Arts Centre

Tickets from The Braid Box Office and online

Tickets for all shows can be purchased online at ticketsource.co.uk/larnearts or available to purchase at the box office desk on the evening of the event.

Arts

028 2563 5077 thebraid.ticketsolve.com/shows

Scan here for all the latest comedy, music and theatre performances at The Braid!

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Events Parks & Open Spaces

Events Parks & Open Spaces

Wild about sustainable food Ever heard the saying nature provides a free lunch? Eating in a sustainable way helps keep both you and the planet healthy so why not join us for our Wild About Food programme - a series of fun, free, family-friendly Friday events with Forage Ireland’s Dermot Hughes.

Spring has Sprung

Explore the bounty of nature and learn how to identify, collect and cook wild food from your local park, green space or beach. You will also discover the benefits of eating local, seasonal and organic food for your health and the environment. Whether you want to make wild garlic pesto, elderflower cordial, seaweed crisps or nettle soup, we have something for everyone.

Bashfordsland Wood & Oakfield Glen, Carrickfergus Friday 23 February, 2-4pm Forage for wild garlic, nettles and other edible treats and finish with a taste of delicious seasonal soup. Led

by Forage Ireland expert Dermot Hughes.

To find out more and book your place, please see below:

https://forms.office.com/e/cGfRLFx6Q7

First Signs of Spring Blackhead Path, Whitehead Friday 26 January, 2-4pm Take a walk along this beautiful coastal path and learn about edible plants, birds and nature. Finish the walk with a tasty snack. Led by Forage Ireland expert Dermot Hughes. https://forms.office.com/e/7WAa66Q7EG

Fridge magnets Our five community fridges located in Ballystrudder, Eden, Greenisland, Harryville and Larne continue to share surplus food with the aim of reducing food waste going to landfill. Over the last year we have:

Seaweed Creations Brown’s Bay, Islandmagee Friday 22 March, 2-4pm Take a walk along the shoreline and learn about seaweed and shellfish. Learn how to make tasty coastal creations and finish with some homemade chowder.

Led by Forage Ireland expert Dermot Hughes.

176 ton of food surplus per fridge = 528 ton in total

Redistributed

Fungi or the humble mushroom is rich in vitamins B and D and were considered by the Romans as the food of the Gods!

562 ton of CO2 emissions per fridge = 1,686 ton in total Saved

468,000

Provided equivalent meals distributed

1,404,000 meals in total

per fridge =

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Mid and East Antrim Connections Autumn 2023

https://forms.office.com/e/36DhtGmx9v

Did you know …

Seaweed is rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C, antioxidants and iodine? Commonly used in sushi it can also be a vegan substitute for gelatine. Seaweed produces 50% of the earth’s oxygen while absorbing carbon dioxide, nitrogen and phosphate in the sea.

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Parks & Open Spaces

Events Parks & Open Spaces

Celebrating our budding gardeners!

This year’s awards ceremony was held in Larne Market Yard where winners and runners-up were presented with their beautiful wooden award and prize. For a full list of worthy winners visit www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/inbloom We encourage everyone living in Mid and East Antrim to consider their local environment and how flowers, plants and gardens can enhance our borough for both people and wildlife.

Our ‘In Bloom’ Community Competitions celebrate local people, the network of volunteers plus local businesses, actively supporting our ‘In Bloom’ campaign and dedicating so much time to planting floral displays, improving areas for biodiversity, keeping towns and villages clean and tidy and ‘greening the grey’ by brightening up forgotten corners. All this great work not only beautifies our borough but also helps local wildlife and insects and can help boost the economy and tourism.

Sights and sounds of our natural habitat

Best of the Best in MEA! Following this year’s Green Flag Award announcement, with 2,216 UK parks & green spaces proudly raising the flag, the Best of the Best UK awards 2023 were announced on 7 November. Organised by the Green Flag Awards Scheme, Best of the Best UK awards recognise members of the community who go above and beyond for the parks in their locality.

In the Northern Ireland category we successfully collected three awards - for Bashfordsland Wood and Oakfield Glen in Carrickfergus, Dixon Park in Larne and The People’s Park in Ballymena. Each park reached a designated standard to be judged worthy of the accolade. The awards are delivered in Northern Ireland through Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful and have been going for 25 years.

Given the climate crisis it is important that we cherish nature. We are very lucky in Larne to have a range of beautiful Victorian parks that are open to the public. I appreciate the work done to-date in reducing herbicide use and increasing biodiversity and we are continuing this journey to more naturebased solutions. I encourage our residents to make as much use as possible of our parks for their own well-being.

Cllr Maeve Donnelly

Local Larne resident Ann Marshall won the Volunteer of the Year across the UK while Cllr Maeve Donnelly won Outstanding Contribution from an Elected Member again across the UK in the Best of the Best Categories.

The awards ceremony was held virtually and both recipients had recorded videos about their involvement at Dixon Park in Larne.

I was brought up around Dixon Park. I love to see the park being used by all ages and I like to see locals enjoying and spending time in the park at a range of activities I organise over the years. I have been involved in volunteering with this park for over 25 years so it’s a lifetime and I wouldn’t change anything as I love helping people. I am so grateful to live so close to this lovely park.

It’s great to have these champions within the borough and we encourage you to get outdoors and enjoy your local park during every season!

Ann Marshall

Did you know the humble garden provides a corridor of green space between open countryside, allowing our native wildlife to move about? Incredibly - gardens across the UK offer more space for nature than all the National Reserves put together!

This vital resource for wildlife is right on our doorstep so by planting native plants and trees, providing water and shelter, letting some areas grow wild or installing nest boxes, you are supporting local biodiversity and letting nature do its thing.

Discovering these neighbourhood creatures and capturing their habits can be curious so to help identify your Snipes from your Black-tailed Godwit, spot a Barn Owl or Hedgehog, follow our Creature Calendar at www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/biodiversity 14

Mid and East Antrim Connections Autumn 2023

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Planning

Events Tourism

A Blueprint for Sustainable Future Growth and Development Work will now begin on the second part of the Local Development Plan - the Local Policies Plan. It will be prepared within the framework provided by the Plan Strategy, incorporating site-specific proposals such as land-use zonings for housing and economic development, settlement development limits and town centre boundaries.

Bumper Year for

Tourism!

August

We’d like to thank those who responded to the public consultations or engaged with the process to date, helping us identify and define our vision and objectives and the strategies and policies that emerged. For the next stage we’ll continue engaging with the community and stakeholders in Mid and East Antrim, to enable sustainable development whilst protecting the environment for future generations.”

The recent launch of our Local Development Plan 2030 – Plan Strategy, sets out an ambitious vision for future growth and development in Mid and East Antrim. Providing a framework for critical decision-making on housing, employment, retail and infrastructure, the plan lays out the area’s Local Development Plan vision and strategic objectives. … a plan for everyone – both now and for generations to come. The Plan Strategy is a roadmap, one that will create a stronger borough, with more employment and an improved quality of life for all in Mid and East Antrim.

If you wish to be kept informed of the remaining stages of our Local Development Plan process, you can contact us on 028 2563 3500 or email ldp@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk to request a community involvement form.

September

The Plan Strategy document and accompanying maps are available to view on the Local Development Plan 2030 page of our council website. www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/business/planning/ local-development-plan

Alderman Robert Logan, Chair of Mid and East Antrim’s Planning Committee The document provides a spatial growth strategy that indicates, in broad terms, how land allocated for various use types - such as housing and economic uses - will be distributed across the borough. It also defines areas of the countryside sensitive or vulnerable to certain forms of development, and where restrictions may apply.

The Plan includes a range of strategic subject policies that have replaced the planning policies contained in the Department for Infrastructure’s Planning Policy Statements. Aligned with the vision of our Community Plan ‘Putting People First’, the Local Development Plan 2030 - Plan Strategy aims to create a borough supporting sustainable economic growth and innovation, infrastructure, the right mix of housing plus improve the wellbeing of our communities.

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Mid and East Antrim Connections Autumn 2023

Reflecting on a great year for tourism, we have welcomed over 120,000 visitors so far. These discoverers, explorers and adventurers have enjoyed the many attractions within our borough, getting a taste of all Mid and East Antrim has to offer.

Visitor figures have shown strong growth with increased numbers eager to walk The Gobbins Cliff Path, experience the traditional homesteads of Arthur and Andrew Jackson Cottages and discover medieval life at Carrickfergus Castle. Hotels in the borough have also reported positive visitor numbers with an increase in overnight stays in 2023.

Tufted Duck

A key observation has been the considerable increase in ‘Out of State’ visitors – those visiting from further afield, outside of Northern Ireland. With a recent Grant Thornton report estimating the value of tourism to the Northern Irish economy to be circa £3 billion per year, the strong performance of our many attractions is a welcome sign that more and more people are keen to discover Mid and East Antrim. This bodes well for what we hope will be an even bigger year in 2024 - so why not plan a few local adventures, explore some of the best tourist attractions Northern Ireland possesses … not far from your doorstep.

October

17

Ballymena

Carrick Castle

Cllr Matthew Armstrong TUV

Cllr Colin Crawford UUP

Cllr Reuben Glover DUP

Cllr Jack Gibson Alliance Party

Cllr Bréanainn Lyness Sinn Féin

Ald Billy Ashe MBE DUP

Cllr David Clarke DUP

Cllr Bethany Ferris UUP

Cllr Lauren Gray Alliance Party

Cllr Robin Stewart UUP

cllr.armstrong@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

cllr.crawford@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

cllr.glover@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

cllr.gibson@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

cllr.lyness@ midandeastantrim.org

ald.ashe@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

cllr.clarke@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

cllr.ferris@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

cllr.gray@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

robin.stewart@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Cllr Lawrie Philpott DUP

Cllr Rodney Quigley Independent

cllr.philpott@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

cllr.quigley@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Cllr Andrew Clarke DUP

Cllr James McKeown Sinn Féin

Ald Maureen Morrow UUP

Cllr Angela Smyth DUP

cllr.clarke@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

cllr.mckeown@ midandeastantrim.org

ald.morrow@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Mayor Ald Gerardine Mulvenna Alliance Party

Cllr Marc Collins DUP

Cllr Bobby Hadden Independent

Cllr Peter Johnston DUP

Cllr Aaron Skinner Alliance Party

Ald Andrew Wilson UUP

cllr.mcollins@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

cllr.hadden@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

cllr.pjohnston@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

cllr.skinner@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

ald.awilson@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Bannside

Coast Road

Cllr Ian Friary Sinn Féin

Cllr Timothy Gaston TUV

cllr.friary@ midandeastantrim.org

cllr.gaston@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Your Council 40 Councillors, elected in 7 District Electoral Areas, working together to create a better future for all in Mid and East Antrim.

Braid

Ald Tom Gordon DUP

Cllr Tyler Hoey DUP

ald.gordon@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

cllr.hoey@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Deputy Mayor Ald Stewart McDonald TUV

Cllr Jackson Minford UUP

ald.mcdonald@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

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cllr.minford@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Ald Beth Adger MBE DUP

Cllr Alan Barr UUP

ald.adger@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

cllr.barr@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Cllr Chelsea Harwood Alliance Party

Cllr Christopher Jamieson TUV

Ald William McCaughey DUP

Cllr Archie Rae Sinn Féin

Cllr Matthew Warwick TUV

cllr.harwood@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

cllr.jamieson@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

ald.mccaughey@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

cllr.rae@ midandeastantrim.org

cllr.warwick@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Mid and East Antrim Connections Autumn 2023

ald.mulvenna@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

cllr.smyth@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

Knockagh

Larne Lough

Cllr Roy Beggs UUP

Cllr Maeve Donnelly Alliance Party

Ald Robert Logan Alliance Party

Cllr Gregg McKeen DUP

Ald Paul Reid DUP

cllr.beggs@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

cllr.mdonnelly@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

ald.logan@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

cllr.mckeen@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

ald.reid@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

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Access to gym, swim and classes for only

27

£

.50

per month

New Year, New Gym New state-of-the-art equipment Seven Towers Leisure Centre Ballymena, Larne Leisure Centre, Carrickfergus Amphitheatre

Join today: midandeastantrim.gov.uk/MEActive

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