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South Belfast sees 6.2% rise in crime

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:32:22 GMT

Crime in south Belfast has risen by 6.2 percent since the same period last year, it has emerged.

Fears over hotel plans to expand in ‘beauty spot’

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:27:26 GMT

Fears have been raised that plans to expand a hotel in a south Belfast beauty spot would “blot” the area and lead to traffic accidents because of more people entering and exiting the site.

A local councillor slammed the plans to expand the Ramada Hotel at Shaw's Bridge with two new blocks including 110 bedrooms, 39 executive suites, car parking areas and a standalone health and beauty centre as “asking too much”.

Castlereagh Councillor Sara Duncan, who is on the board of the Lagan Valley Regional Park (LVRP), wrote to the Planning Service to object to the plans on the grounds that the extra development will have an overbearing and crowding effect on the site and it will “forever be a blot on the landscape of the green area of the Lagan Valley/ Shaw’s Bridge/ Belvoir Forest area of natural beauty”.

Councillor Duncan also said increased traffic entering and exiting the site at Milltown Road could “cause accidents, because this is a busy, 40mph road.”

But the Ramada Hotel defended its plans and said the “unique location” would be protected through “sensitive design”.

Councillor Duncan, who is on the board of the Lagan Valley Regional Park, said: “I know people need work and we need tourism but this is in a beauty spot. This is going to bring a lot more cars and a lot more people in. I think it will detract from the whole Lagan Valley area.

“To lump All those buildings into that site is not on.”

A spokesman for Andras House, which owns the Ramada Hotel, said: “We acknowledge that the unique setting of Ramada Hotel should be protected through sensitive design. We have sought to achieve this by carrying out an extensive Environmental Impact Assessment; working closely with the Planning and Roads services in areas including traffic management and access; huge investment in landscaping in keeping with the parkland environment; underground car parking to replace existing surface parking; and no change in the roof line of the extended hotel.

“As a result, we are confident the extended hotel will blend in with the existing parkland setting.”

LVRP manager Dr Andy Bridge said he did not wish to comment at this time as LVRP is part of the consultation process on the plans.

“LVRP will be making a comment on the plans and returning it the Planning Service,” he said.

South Belfast DPP roundup

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:21:27 GMT

Only two members of the public turned up for last week's replacement meeting of the South Belfast District Policing Partnership (DPP) sub group, held because the September meeting was declared void due to not enough DPP members being present to carry out its statutory duties.

Students pay price for disorder

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:54:51 GMT

Two students at Queen’s University have been suspended for the entire academic year because of their involvement in the Holy Land disturbances on St Patrick’s Day.

Women raise £1200 at charity event

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:52:42 GMT

A project by a south Belfast women’s group has raised more than £1200 for a cancer charity.

On the Grapevine

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:29:45 GMT

Ballynafeigh

Belfast City Council roundup

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:48:00 GMT

THE £97 million Titanic Signature Project received good news at this month's meeting of Belfast City Council (BCC) on Monday, November 2, when the council agreed to contribute £10m to the scheme to be built in the Titanic Quarter.

Get wise or you might get hurt when using fireworks

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:31:57 GMT

While it is that time of the year when we can enjoy the excitement of fireworks, it is important to remember that they are dangerous explosive devices which are controlled by the Explosives (Fireworks) Regulations 2002.

Council awards £10m to Titanic Project

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:15:05 GMT

The £97 million Titanic Signature Project received good news this week when Belfast City Council agreed to contribute £10 million to the scheme.

Council awards £10m to Titanic Projec

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:15:05 GMT

The £97 million Titanic Signature Project received good news this week when Belfast City Council agreed to contribute £10m to the scheme.

Visit flower show with a difference

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:11:12 GMT

An exhibition that integrates textiles with other media is now running in Belfast.

Care home celebrates best kept award win

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:08:31 GMT

Staff and residents at an east Belfast residential home are celebrating after winning a 2009 award for Best Kept Health and Social Care Facility.

Public sculpture unveiled at the Titanic Quarter

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:04:23 GMT

The first public artwork for the Titanic Quarter was unveiled as part of the Belfast festival at Queens.

Singer’s story told

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:55:02 GMT

Belfast-born singer/songwriter Andy White this week launches a new book about his many years on the road as a touring musician.

A grown up fairytale

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:36:40 GMT

An adaptation of Little Red Riding Hood for grown-ups starts in Belfast this month.

Local artist exhibits in London War Museum

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:33:31 GMT

A Piece of artwork by Sonia Copeland, secretary of the east Belfast Ulster Unionist Association, has been included in an exhibition at the Imperial War Museum, London.

On the grapevine

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:22:28 GMT

Dundonald

Zen

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:21:07 GMT

For Halloween Night, we decided to avoid the trick-or-treaters and head out for a meal in town.

The Thunderdome – 2 Farrier Court, Glengormley

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:19:53 GMT

One film I have never seen or have no interest in watching is Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. A screeching Tina Turner surrounded by a bunch of freaks would never do it for me.

Tesco and police tackle alcohol risk

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:09:39 GMT

Tesco Knocknagoney staff, NIO and PSNI Community Safety teamed up recently to highlight the subject of 'You, Your Child and Alcohol' - a new health publication tackling the mental and physical health risks, anti-social behaviour linked to abuse of alcohol and consumption guidelines.

Les Orris Blanc 2007

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:06:35 GMT

Refreshing and elegant in style, the Les Orris Blanc 2007 from M&S is a white wine bursting with aromas of orchard fruits and baked herbs.

Police educate students on domestic abuse

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:05:39 GMT

Sixth form students from across south and east Belfast will gather at Royal Belfast Academical Institution, Belfast, this Thursday, November 5 and Friday, November 6 for an initiative aimed at raising their awareness of issues around domestic abuse.

Win tickets to see WWE Superstars

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:15:12 GMT

Honey Monster loves watching World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and has teamed-up with The CT to offer one lucky winner and a friend a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Find inspiration at Craft Show

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:09:08 GMT

The CT has teamed-up with Trident Exhibitions to offer 20 readers the opportunity to win a pair of tickets to an exciting new event — The Creative Crafts & Gifts Show at the King’s Hall, Belfast, from November 12-14.

Purple gem is season trend

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:03:04 GMT

The colour purple is a gem of a shade for Belfast fashionistas, says leading province-based jeweller, Argento.