Northern Ireland round-up: Infrastructure commission in prospect; warning of impending water crisis

Infrastructure Commission in prospect for Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland’s infrastructure minister Nichola Mallon has taken the first step towards creating an Infrastructure Commission for Northern Ireland.

The Planner

NI Water warns of wastewater crisis

NI Water has used the publication of its annual report to express concern that Northern Ireland’s crumbling waste water infrastructure is holding up new housing and business developments in 116 towns and cities. NI Water once again highlighted “chronic underfunding” for crucial capital expenditure.

NI Water

Glengormley redevelopments

The former Thunderdome site in Glengormley, Newtownabbey, has been earmarked for redevelopment under proposals that would see the former bar and restaurant demolished and replaced with a mixed-use scheme providing 43 flats and 6 shops. Meanwhile, in a separate but related move, Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council has confirmed that the former Glengormley police station is to be demolished and a temporary use established for the site on Glenwell Road while longer-term plans for a business hub are progressed.

Insider Media

Belfast Live

McD eyes-up west Belfast outlet

Fast-food chain McDonald's has submitted a planning application to open a new outlet in west Belfast at the Ballygomartin Tesco.

Belfast Telegraph

Cyprus Avenue restaurant in planning breaches probe

Belfast City Council has confirmed that the owner of the Cyprus Avenue restaurant in Newtownards is currently under investigation for allegedly breaching planning rules at the premises named after the east Belfast street made famous by Van Morrison's eponymous song.

Belfast Telegraph

CBI warns of city centre ‘ghost towns’

The UK’s city centres could become ‘ghost towns’ if the government does not step up efforts to encourage workers to return to offices, according to the CBI.

The Planner

Poor transport and internet services ‘damage rural children’s mental health’

A lack of access to public transport and the internet is leaving children in remote rural communities suffering ‘prolonged isolation, exclusion and insecurity’, according to latest research.

The Planner

Collapse of international tourism wiping £22bn off UK economy

The UK economy could lose £22 billion from lost international tourism in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Planner

Retailers report sharpest fall in jobs since 2009 crash

The continuing crisis facing the UK’s high streets is highlighted by a CBI survey that shows retailers have suffered their worst job cuts since the 2009 financial crash.

The Planner