Other News In Brief

Warning As Cold Caller Approaches Home In L'Derry

A warning has been issued after a cold caller approached a house in L'Derry and requested money.

Police have called for vigilance after a female resident in the Cornshell Fields area was approached by an unknown male on Wednesday 08 January. The woman refused to open her door to the stranger.

A PSNI spokesperson said: "Please be alert for this kind of behaviour and look out for your neighbours, especially if they are elderly or vulnerable. If you notice any suspicious people or vehicles in your area, please contact us on 101 or 999 in an emergency."

Local L'Derry Cinema To Be Extended

A local cinema in L'Derry is set to undergo an expansion which will see two new screens added to the complex.

Plans to extend the Brunswick Moviebowl in Pennyburn Industrial Estate were given the thumbs up by Derry City and Strabane District Council's Planning Committee.

This proposal will see a 710 square metre single story extension added to the existing building, bringing new screens and reducing the total number of seats from 1087 to 895 to allow for larger, more comfortable seats.

Chair of the Planning Committee, Councillor Christopher Jackson welcomed the decision and reassured the net reduction in the capacity of the cinema will ensure it will not generate more traffic or additional parking requirements for the area.

Head of Planning at Derry City and Strabane District Council, Maura Fox, added: "This facility provides employment for approximately 15 full time members of staff and the work will secure continued employment and operation of this business with no adverse effects on amenity.

"The additional screens and new seating layout will allow the cinema to offer a varied cinema experience with increased comfort levels.

"The overall reduction in seats means the proposal will not result in a detrimental impact on the vitality and viability of the city centre."

145 New Homes Heading To Strabane

Plans for 145 new homes in the Co Tyrone town of Strabane have been green lit.

The housing development in the Evish Road area was approved during a recent meeting of Derry City and Strabane District Council's Planning Committee.

Curlyhill Developments is leading the scheme, which will incorporate 30 existing semi-detached dwellings and eight detached homes. It will offer a mix of 34 detached and 148 semi-detached dwellings and one apartment in total. As well as housing, the project will also see the development of a convenience store, a link road to the site from Evish Road and provision of open space for a play park and kick about area.

Chair of the Planning Committee, Councillor Christopher Jackson, welcomed the approval for how it will help to relieve housing stress in Strabane.

Head of Planning at Derry City and Strabane District Council, Maura Fox, said: "This significant development will alleviate some of the pressure for housing provision in Strabane, offering high quality housing for buyers seeking to locate in the Evish Road area and also provide for much needed play facilities which are lacking in the wider area.

"The large site is approximately 8.24 hectors in size and is located on land zoned for housing in the Strabane Area Plan 2001.

"The approval is in keeping with our commitment in the Local Development Plan to improve the quality of new developments and increase the availability of housing across the City and District."



(JG)