Industry

Contract signed to transform old bus station site

by Parker
written by Parker

An agreement has been signed to transform the site of an old bus station that was demolished a decade ago.

The Greyfriars development in Northampton will include 1,000 homes, an amphitheatre, shops and restaurants.

The 25-acre (10.1ha) site also includes two existing car parks, a disused corn exchange, and a derelict office block.

West Northamptonshire Council said the deal would "revitalise a long-neglected area of the heart of the town centre".

The site includes the space left by the demolition of the old bus station in 2015

Ever since Northampton's Greyfriars bus station, labelled "the mouth of hell", disappeared in a huge cloud of dust in 2015, the site has been vacant and unused.

The agreement that has now been signed means work could be starting soon on a project that will, according to the council, "unlock the true potential of Northampton".

The signatures on the document are those of the council and ECF which is a joint venture between the government's Homes England agency and private firms Legal & General and "placemakers" Muse.

ECF
The vision includes affordable homes as well as built-to-rent houses and student accommodation

As well as the bus station site, the regeneration area includes the Mayorhold and Victoria Street Car Parks and the traffic islands either side of the bus station.

There is also the Corn Exchange, built in 1851, and Belgrave House – a giant 1970s brutalist office block.

Under the plans, Belgrave House is set to become a "flexible space for established and emergent businesses".

ECF
A new linear park is included in the vision along what is now Lady's Lane

The Corn Exchange is likely to be turned into art and performance space, alongside a new amphitheatre on what is now the West Island.

A park is included in the plan, occupying the area which is now Lady's Lane.

The plans include affordable, built-to-rent and student accommodation alongside shops, restaurants and leisure facilities.

The council claims 7,000 full-time equivalent jobs will be created during the construction phase and "over £1bn in economic value" will be "unlocked".

Martin Heath/BBC
Reform UK's James Petter, nearest the camera, said the project would strengthen the local economy

James Petter, cabinet member for local economy at the Reform UK-controlled council, said: "The regeneration of Greyfriars will not only revitalise a key part of our town centre but also strengthen our local economy, improve connectivity, and create a more inclusive and vibrant place to live, work, and visit."

Sir Michael Lyons, who chairs ECF, said: "Entering a development agreement will enable us to take the next important step in the delivery of this important opportunity."

He added that both parties would now "move at pace" to deliver a masterplan for the project.

Economy

Date set for referendum on mayor for Plymouth

by Harper
written by Harper

A date has been set for a referendum to decide if Plymouth should have a directly-elected mayor paid in the region of £75,000 a year.

Plymouth City Council has to hold a referendum after a campaign, led by Angus Forbes, former banker and husband of celebrity dancer Darcey Bussell, gathered more than 10,000 signatures in favour of the process.

Opponents said the campaign was based on false promises and hundreds of thousands of pounds spent on it would be a waste of money.

Campaigners for the referendum, due to be held on Thursday 17 July, claimed it was a chance to change how the city was run.

Tudor Evans, the Labour leader of Plymouth City Council, says the referendum is a waste of money

If Plymouth residents vote in favour of a directly-elected mayor, the first elections will be held in May 2026.

At a heated meeting at Plymouth City Council, members expressed their frustration with the process that the council said would cost about £410,000.

Several councillors spoke about other areas such as Bristol, Liverpool and Torbay which have had directly elected mayors but then abolished the posts.

The leader of the Labour-led council, Tudor Evans, said there was a great difference between a possible mayor for Plymouth and the directly-elected mayors in London and Greater Manchester who have greater powers.

Evans also pointed to the current reorganisation of local government taking place, in which the government has indicated it wants to scrap directly-elected mayors for single authorities such as Plymouth in favour of mayors for combined authorities.

The city council's chief executive, Tracey Lee, acknowledged the reorganisation as a potential risk and said talks were ongoing with the government.

Forbes claimed the cost of the referendum was "the best money a Plymouth taxpayer could ever spend to change to a successful system of direct democracy".

He said the current system had "failed to grow the economy".

Forbes said: "Our greatest opportunity is to have a place-based leader to galvanise us, to unify us with a vision for Plymouth, and to be an ambassador, to attract private capital and private citizens to come to Plymouth."

Industry

Suspected arson at derelict pub

by Natalie
written by Natalie

A severe fire overnight at a derelict pub in Dudley is being treated as suspected arson, police have said.

Six fire crews were dispatched to the former Crown Inn in Netherton at the height of the blaze, after it was reported at about 00:30 BST on Friday.

It involved the roof space at the old Simms Lane pub, which closed in 2018. No-one was believed to have been injured, the fire service said.

West Midlands Police has asked anyone with information to get in touch with officers.

The road, which was closed in both directions, has since reopened.

Global Trade

Child dies after minibus overturns on slip road

by Stephanie
written by Stephanie

A child has died after a minibus overturned on a motorway slip road, police have said.

The M4 in Berkshire was closed in both directions following the single vehicle collision on the link road from junction 10 of the motorway to the A329M near Reading at about 14:45 BST on Sunday.

The motorway reopened after about three hours but the slip road remained closed, Thames Valley Police (TVP) said just before 20:00.

The force said other passengers were seriously injured in the crash and confirmed no arrests have been made.

National Highways said earlier on Sunday that the M4 was closed eastbound, between junctions 11 and 10, and westbound, between junctions 8/9 and 11, because of a "serious injury incident involving an overturned vehicle" on the link road.

It warned of "severe" delays approaching the closures in both directions, partly because of broken down vehicles in the queues.

South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) confirmed it had five critical care units and six ambulances at the scene near Reading, and a spokesperson for Thames Valley Air Ambulance said it sent a helicopter and a critical care response vehicle.

Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue crews were also in attendance.

National Highways
Traffic was queueing eastbound at junction 11 following the incident

Global Trade

Teenager dies after being hit by lorry

by Christian
written by Christian

An 18-year-old pedestrian has died after he was struck by a lorry, police have said.

Officers were called to the A623 Bay Gateway, between Mellishaw Lane and Northgate, in Morecambe at 03:00 BST on Sunday.

Lancashire Police said the man, who was from Morecambe, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The force has appealed for any witnesses to come forward and has asked for any CCTV or dashcam footage.

Tech

'Dáithí's letter from Bill Clinton stopped me in my tracks'

by Jamie
written by Jamie

A young boy from Belfast has received a letter from a former US President.

Dáithí Mac Gabhann who inspired a change in Northern Ireland's organ donation rules received a silver envelope through the letterbox on Thursday.

The letter was embellished with "William Jefferson Clinton", who many will know as Bill Clinton.

Dáithí's dad, Máirtín Mac Gabhann said the letter "stopped me in my tracks… the fact someone like President Clinton took the time to write this letter is amazing".

Dáithí's Law was named after seven-year-old Belfast boy Dáithí Mac Gabhann, who has been on the waiting list for a heart transplant since 2018.

The legislation means that most adults in Northern Ireland are now considered as potential organ donors after their death, unless they actively opt out.

PA Media
Máirtín Mac Gabhann and Dáithí outside Stormont when Dáithí's law was passed in 2023

Mr Mac Gabhann told BBC News NI it was as if fate helped Dáithí receive this letter.

"Dáithí and I were at (Belfast) City Hall to see the Secretary of State at a Good Friday Agreement event but he was running late… so we took a tour of the Freedom of the City Exhibition."

When they went to view the exhibition Mr Mac Gabhann said President Clinton and Senator George Mitchell had been a couple of the last to receive the honour, in 2018.

Dáithí also received the honour in 2023 in recognition of his campaign to raise awareness around organ donation.

"I just had a thought and I reached out to Queen's and said I've written letters out about Dáithí and everything that's happened," Mr Mac Gabhann said.

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He added that a response did come from Senator George Mitchell quickly because he had still been in Northern Ireland to respond.

But the letter from the former president was something unexpected.

"Dáithí hit a big redner, jaw on the floor… he knew this was big… he couldn't believe it… he was even getting a bit emotional about it all."

He added that it's so positive to have this letter as Dáithí is about to reach his 7th anniversary of waiting for a heart transplant.

"It gave us a much needed boost… Dáithí is stable now but this letter has saved the day for us… as he had been at hospital."

Dáithí's 7th anniversary of being on a waiting list for a heart transplant falls on 2 June.

Máirtín Mac Gabhann
The letter sent to Máirtín Mac Gabhann from President Clinton

In the letter to Dáithí, President Clinton said he was "so proud" to share the Freedom of the City honour "with someone as amazing as you".

"Keep up your great work and know that you have a big fan pulling for you in New York."

President Clinton ended the letter with one message – "Keep going!"

"It was just an amazing letter, I got a separate letter from President Clinton and he said 'Your letter took my breath away. Press on!' and that's momentous," said Mr Mac Gabhann.

Speaking about his son, Mr Mac Gabhann said it has been a long fight and journey for Dáithí but "luck has been on our side" and "the hope is what keeps you going".

He reiterated his call for those to consider joining the organ donor register and to talk about it with family and friends.

"We rely on the community, our close community, far and wide… don't forget about us. At our lowest points they (the community) have brought us up… as has President Clinton."

Business

GP surgery to remain shut over mystery illness

by Noah
written by Noah

A GP practice will remain closed until the end of the week due to ongoing safety concerns, the owners have said.

Caister Health Centre was first closed on 29 April after 16 people fell ill, and again on Tuesday as a "precautionary measure".

The practice said the fire service had worked with gas engineers from Cadent and with Anglian Water but no concerns had been identified so far.

A spokesperson for the health centre said patient appointments would be rearranged at other surgeries, and that patients would be contacted with further information.

Jonathan Knights, the practice's executive manager, said further tests would be carried out at the site in the coming days.

"We're going to engage experts in air quality to come down and try and advise us whether there's any cause for concern," he said.

"The steps we've taken so far have been precautionary measures, and so far there has been no concern found.

"But we want to make sure, for the safety of our patients and staff, that remains the case."

Mr Knights said those that fell ill had symptoms such as headaches and tiredness.

Andrew Turner/BBC
The GP practice said it had contacted other people who had visited the surgery on the day 16 people fell ill and none had similar symptoms

The building's dental practice and pharmacy, which originally opened as usual this morning, decided to close later in the day.

The GP practice urged patients to order their prescriptions over the phone or via the NHS App instead.

Emergency services were called to the practice on 29 April when four of the 16 people who fell ill took themselves to hospital.

The practice reopened the following day.

Four fire engines, two ambulances and a police car where then sent there on Tuesday afternoon after a number of staff felt slightly unwell.

Network gas operator Cadent confirmed it was called back to the site, but the gas had already been turned off after last week's incident.

Mr Knight said the building's landlord had been made aware of the issue.

Economy

Views sought on the future of Lincolnshire town

by Stella
written by Stella

People living in Immingham are being asked about their views on the future of the town.

The town council is drawing up a new town plan which will outline future developments.

It said it was a chance for residents, businesses and other local organisations to tell planners "what they would like to see".

An online survey will run for four weeks and responses will be used to develop further feedback sessions, the council said.

Results of the research will be used to develop the Immingham Forward plan.

Karen Swinburn, chair of the town council and Lady Mayor of Immingham, said: "This is your chance to tell us what you like about Immingham and where you would like to see improvements.

"We want to know what you think as your views are vital to shaping the future of the town going forward.

"The survey will take just a few minutes to complete but may have an impact on the shape of Immingham to come."

Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds latest episode of Look North here.

Innovation

Three takeaways from county council elections

by Samantha
written by Samantha

Worcestershire County Council slipped into no overall control after Thursday's election with no party having a majority of councillors.

Reform UK were the significant winners after the votes were counted as they now have 27 seats, two short of the number needed for overall control.

The big losers were the Conservatives, who went from 45 councillors to 12.

Here are three takeaways from the election:

Reform's rout of the Tories

This was the first Worcestershire election in which Reform UK won seats, 27 in total

Almost every seat in the county was affected in some way by the swing towards Reform.

Before this set of elections the relatively new party had never won a seat in the county; now it is the largest party with 27 councillors.

Twenty-six of those gains – based off the 2021 results – were from the Conservatives.

Before polling day, Reform candidates were optimistic but this result has far exceeded their expectations.

Two seats short of an overall majority, they now face a decision – form a minority administration and try to go it alone or find a partner to run the county council with.

Dead Heat

One result ended up in a dead heat in the election

The most dramatic moment of these elections came in the rural Littletons division, where the Green and Reform candidates had a dead heat – both on 889 votes.

This meant a ballot was drawn with both their names being placed into a box and one drawn at random.

Green candidate Hannah Robson's name came out, meaning she took seat from the Tories.

She acknowledged it was not the ideal way to decide a vote but "that's what we have to work with".

Good day for the Greens

The Greens now have eight seats on the council

If these elections were evidence voters were disenchanted with the two main Westminster parties, Worcestershire's Greens were the other clear winners.

The party now has eight seats on the county council, five more than in 2021.

They managed to cement their strong position in Worcester itself, with music teacher and parliamentary candidate Tor Pingree defeating the Conservative council leader Simon Geraghty.

Business

Council to debate 'ill-conceived' waste site plan

by Logan
written by Logan

A planning application for a new recycling facility near a village in Cornwall has received more than 120 objections.

Gwinear-Gwithian Parish Council will meet to discuss the plans for the wood and green waste centre at Roseworthy Hill near Connor Downs later.

"Loss of countryside, smell, contamination of nearby waterways and noise" were among the reasons cited by local residents as to why they felt it should be refused, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

In a planning statement, The Green Waste Company said the new site would "greatly improve the current services".

'Immediate and safe'

The company currently has two recycling sites at Higher Brynn, near Victoria, and Splattenridden Farm, near St Erth.

The firm said: "Currently, Splattenridden receives green waste from five council-run Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC) sites.

"For reasons of logistics and capacity, it is proposed that, apart from the St Erth HRWC and Penzance Town Council sources, all other waste would be sent to the proposal site at Roseworthy.

"This would greatly improve the current services provided by the Green Waste Company and, importantly, will greatly reduce miles travelled every year transporting the waste.

"The proposed site is conveniently located on low-grade agricultural land owned by the applicant.

"It has immediate and safe highway access."

'Totally irresponsible'

More than 120 people had raised concerns on Cornwall Council's online planning portal, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

One objection stated the installation of a waste recycling plant was "totally irresponsible and ill-conceived."

It added: "Chemicals which develop through the waste recycling will leach through the soil spreading toxic chemicals, once this occurs the land will be destroyed for decades."

Councillor Lionel Pascoe, who represents Gwinear Gwithian and Hayle East, said the plan was "causing quite a stir in the area" but the matter had to go to a parish council decision.