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  • Liverpool City Council unveils plans for 33,000 new homes across the city

    Liverpool City Council unveils plans for 33,000 new homes across the city


    Liverpool City Council is set to take a major step towards delivering thousands of new homes for residents.
    The Liverpool Local Plan to 2043 provides for a minimum of 33,552 new homes over the next 17 years, with ambitions to exceed this Government set target, enabling the city to meet future housing needs while supporting economic growth and regeneration. The Plan will also ensure a choice and diversity of new homes for our current and future residents including affordable homes, that are sustainable , inclusive and high quality.
    Local Plans are statutory documents that every local planning authority is required by Government to prepare.

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    They set out where development should take place, what type of development is needed, and the planning policies that will be used to assess future planning applications.
    Once adopted, Liverpool’s Local Plan will become the primary basis for planning decisions across the city, providing certainty for residents, communities, developers and investors.
    The proposed Plan identifies where new housing growth can take place and allocates sites capable of delivering new homes. It prioritises previously developed brownfield land and focuses growth on key regeneration areas including North Liverpool, the North Docks, Ten Streets, Pumpfields and Limekilns, and Festival Gardens.
    In addition to setting housing targets, the Local Plan requires development to be supported by appropriate infrastructure, including schools, health facilities, transport links and green spaces, helping to create sustainable and vibrant communities.
    Credit: Liverpool City Council
    Cllr Nick Small, Cabinet Member for Economy and Growth, said:
    “Like every council in the country, Liverpool is required to have an up-to-date Local Plan that sets out how we will meet future housing needs and manage growth in a sustainable way.
    “This Plan provides a clear strategy for delivering more than 33,500 new homes by 2043, with a strong focus on brownfield land and areas where regeneration can have the greatest impact.
    “It will help ensure Liverpool has the homes it needs for current and future generations, while also delivering the infrastructure, green spaces, transport links and services that create thriving communities.
    “Importantly, it gives residents, developers and investors certainty about where growth should happen and helps us secure the right development in the right places.”
    Find out more on the Liverpool City Council website.
    Get the latest news from around Liverpool here.

    Find out what’s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide. 
    From the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North – visit thenorthernguide.com and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram HERE.

  • A1 closed due to fire at Kelpie Marine near Roxton

    A1 closed due to fire at Kelpie Marine near Roxton



    A major road has been closed while emergency services respond to a fire at a boatyard.Bedfordshire Police said closures were in place on both carriageways of the A1 between the Black Cat Roundabout and Tempsford as crews dealt with an incident at Kelpie Marine, near Roxton.Crews from Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to the fire at 11:28 BST and said it involved a boat and a shed.The boatyard sits in the middle of the two carriageways of the A1, close to where the road crosses the River Great Ouse.Drivers have been advised by the police to avoid the area and seek alternative routes.Do you have a story suggestion for Beds, Herts or Bucks? Contact us below.

  • Images and footage show state of former Wolverhampton College campus after fire

    Images and footage show state of former Wolverhampton College campus after fire



    New images have shown the deteriorating state of a former college campus once home to hundreds of students, but left damaged after a fire broke out.They also show the state of the campus, which has been targeted by vandals since being vacated in October following the opening of the brand new City Learning Quarter in Wolverhampton in November last year.In the images, there are visibly broken windows, graffiti and dated and worn out parts of the building, as well as the fire damage on show.1. Wolverhampton College conditionThe fire damaged 30 per cent of the ground floor and left smoke damage | Tim Thursfield/Iconic Media Group Photo: Tim Thursfield2. Wolverhampton College conditionThe fire started on Sunday and was tackled by multiple fire crews | Tim Thursfield/Iconic Media Group3. Wolverhampton College conditionThe campus has been a target for vandals since it closed its doors last year | Tim Thursfield/Iconic Media Group4. Wolverhampton College conditionWindows can be seen smashed around the campus | Tim Thursfield/Iconic Media Group

  • Have your say on future of Rushden as council launches neighbourhood plan consultation

    Have your say on future of Rushden as council launches neighbourhood plan consultation



    Rushden residents are being asked for their views to help shape the town’s neighbourhood plan for the next five years.The neighbourhood plan will be updated this summer to help guide future decisions until 2031.The public consultation taking place this summer will build on the adopted Rushden Neighbourhood Plan from 2018, including policies covering areas such as housing, employment, design, the town centre, green spaces, heritage, biodiversity, transport and community facilities.A Rushden Town Council spokesman said: “Rushden Town Council encourages everyone with an interest in the future of the town to take part and share their views.The consultation runs from Friday, 24 July to Friday, 18 September“Feedback received during the consultation will help inform the final version of the plan before it progresses through the next stages of the neighbourhood planning process.”Once the consultation period, which runs from Friday, July 24, to Friday, September 18, is completed, the plan will be submitted to North Northants Council for independent examination.A public drop-in event will be held at Rushden Independent Wesleyan Church this Saturday (July 25) from 10am until 2pm providing residents with an opportunity to view the draft plan, ask questions and find out more about how to take part in the consultation.The consultation will be available both online and in person when it opens on Friday, and in the meantime questions or comments can be submitted to [email protected].Continue Reading

  • Over ÂŁ100k raised for three-year-old boy injured in crocodile enclosure

    Over ÂŁ100k raised for three-year-old boy injured in crocodile enclosure



    Fundraising campaign helps support boy’s recovery after incident near HuntingdonAuthor: Grace McGachyPublished 42 minutes agoA fundraising campaign has successfully raised over ÂŁ100,000 to aid the recovery of a young boy who was attacked by a crocodile at a zoo near Huntingdon. The Go fund me page was set up after he ended up in the enclosure at Johnson’s Zoo in Old Hurst. on the 18th of June. He was rushed to the hospital in a critical condition and has since undergone several surgeries to address extensive injuries.The funds will provide financial stability for the family as they focus on their son’s long road to recovery, including necessary rehabilitation.If any funds remain after addressing the family’s needs, they will be donated to the Addenbrooke’s Trust to aid other families facing similar situations.The family deeply appreciates the generous donations and requests that their son’s identity be kept private.In an update on Wednesday (15 July( the boy’s parents thanked people for their generosity: “Today our son had his seventh surgery, where surgeons completed a nerve graft on his left arm. They harvested a nerve from his leg to replace a missing part in his arm. We hope this graft will allow him to regain function in his hand, but results will take months.”Tomorrow marks 4 weeks in the hospital. Upon arrival, he underwent a 12-hour operation for extensive tendon, nerve, blood vessel, and severe tissue damage. Those were the hardest 12 hours of our lives, involving resuscitation and amputation risk. “Four weeks later, our cheeky boy is talking and smiling. We are amazed by his progress and hope today’s surgery will be the last for now, allowing us to go home soon. The home journey will bring new challenges in his recovery and rehabilitation. We are taking time off work to support him. Thank you again for all your well wishes and support during this time. We are forever grateful for your help to stay by his side every step of the way.”Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.

  • What’s on this week at the Rhinos

    What’s on this week at the Rhinos


    With the 2026 season now in full swing, Rhinos fans have a full menu of matches available to watch over the course of the week.
    Four matches at the end of the week kicks off on Thursday night with Academy action at Stanningley, before the Reserves and First Team both take to the field on Sunday with enticing matches against Warrington and Bradford. 
    The standout game of the week occurs on Saturday as the Wheelchair Challenge Cup Final trophy is on the line for the Rhinos, who take on Halifax at the Robin Park Leisure Centre for a chance to lift the Wheelchair season’s first silverware.
    Here are the matches coming up for you this weekend:

    Leeds Rhinos Under-18s Academy vs Wakefield Trinity Under-18s Academy
    The penultimate Academy match of the first part of the Under-18s season sees Leeds Rhinos run out at Stanningley on Thursday night as Chev Walker’s side faces off against Wakefield Trinity, kick off 7pm.
    A huge result against Warrington Wolves a fortnight ago saw an impressive Rhinos outfit produce a strong performance on the road, but now they arrive back at Stanningley hoping to battle hard against Trinity, who need a win to move back into the top four.
    Entry to the game is priced at ÂŁ5 adults, ÂŁ3 concessions and free for Under-16s.
    Fans are reminded when parking at Stanningley to be courteous to the surrounding residents and use either the main car park or the large car park on the entrance to the ground.

    Halifax Panthers Wheelchair vs Leeds Rhinos Wheelchair
    The Wheelchair Challenge Cup takes place this Saturday afternoon as Leeds Rhinos look to end a four-year wait to lift the Cup as James Simpson-Hill’s side takes on reigning Champions and five-time winners Halifax Panthers at Robin Park Leisure Centre, kick off 3pm.
    Leeds have taken down York, Edinburgh and Wigan en route to this year’s final, after missing the last two seasons. Having not lifted the Cup since their 2022 triumph over Catalans, the Rhinos are out to take down the Panthers, who defeated Leeds in a top-of-the-table clash last Saturday afternoon.
    Tickets are available to buy now here directly from the RFL, priced at ÂŁ11 each.
    For Ambulant tickets, please contact the ticket office at accessibility@rlcommercial.co.uk. For Wheelchair tickets, there is an accessible seats option via the ticket link.

    Warrington Wolves Reserves vs Leeds Rhinos Reserves
    Reserves action continues on Sunday as Leeds Rhinos clash with Warrington Wolves Reserves in their third match following the season split at Victoria Park, kick off 1pm.
    Chev Walker’s Rhinos side enters this game having lost the first meeting with the Wolves back in March as the visitors to AMT Headingley took away a 30-18 final score. Last year’s Reserves Grand Final winners will be no turnover, as a win over Warrington would close the gap between the two clubs in the league standings and have ramifications for who holds a home semi-final spot by the end of August. Warrington faced Hull FC last time out on the road, and following this week’s game, will have to win away from home in their final two games too if they want to be back in the Grand Final themselves.
     
    Leeds Rhinos vs Bradford Bulls
    For the third time in 2026, Leeds and Bradford go head to head as AMT Headingley hosts the final instalment of the West Yorkshire derby on Sunday afternoon, kick-off 3pm live on Sky Sports.
    The Rhinos have two wins against the Bulls already in 2026, and a third triumph would potentially extend Brad Arthur’s side to four points clear at the top of the table. The Bulls continue a tough spell of fixtures as they face all of the top six teams in consecutive matches, but Kurt Haggerty’s side will certainly be out to cause a potential upset against their local rivals.
    Tickets for the game are still available to buy now. Ticket prices start at £26 for adults, £21 for concessions and £14 for juniors, with prices rising by £3 on matchdays.
    To buy tickets, go to tickets.therhinos.co.uk or call the ticket office on 0371 423 1315.

  • Plan for 230-home housing estate on village edge near Lichfield

    Plan for 230-home housing estate on village edge near Lichfield



    Plans have been put forward to build more than 200 homes in the Staffordshire countryside.The outline application for Fisherwick Road, on the outskirts of Whittington, east of Lichfield, has been submitted by developers.Under the proposals, a 230-home estate with public open space, access roads and other infrastructure would be built.The application is expected to be considered by planners at Lichfield District Council at a later date.Documents lodged with the council said the project would “deliver much needed market and affordable homes in a sustainable location”.Planning documents state the proposals include areas of public open space alongside the new homes, with further details on landscaping, appearance, layout and scale to be decided as part of future applications.The application has been submitted in outline, meaning the principle of development is being considered at this stage rather than the final design.Residents and other relevant consultees will be able to comment on the plans before they are determined by the council.

  • Road plan for new airport ‘flawed and shortsighted’, critics say

    Road plan for new airport ‘flawed and shortsighted’, critics say



    Liverpool City Council (LCC) is urging the NSW government to rethink a $1.4 billion road upgrade in Western Sydney, arguing the design is “flawed and short-sighted” and would lead to the destruction of about 90 homes.The project has also drawn criticism from some infrastructure experts, who say it is inconsistent with the government’s transport and housing objectives.The government plans to widen Liverpool’s heavily congested Fifteenth Avenue to improve traffic flow and support rapid housing growth. Construction is expected to begin later this year.The project is the first stage of a long-term vision of a future transport corridor linking Liverpool with Western Sydney International Airport and Bradfield.But Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun has rejected the state government’s plans and put forward an alternate proposal that he claims will better serve the community at a lower cost.”We have a solution that saves money, protects homes, and delivers better infrastructure,” the Liberal mayor said.Mayor Ned Mannoun (right) says the council has a better plan for the planned upgrades to Fifteenth Avenue in Liverpool. (Supplied: Transport for NSW, ABC News: Chantelle Al-Khoury)The latest plan — developed by Transport for NSW and funded by the federal and state governments — would see the road widened to allow for two traffic lanes running in either direction, with additional turning lanes at intersections.The design uses wide car lanes and median strips to accommodate fast-moving traffic. The plans show footpaths and bus stops but do not include dedicated bus or bike lanes.Under LCC’s alternate proposal, lower traffic speeds would allow for narrower traffic lanes, creating space for bus lanes in each direction.”Your lanes can become a little bit narrower, which then creates room down the middle to actually put another two lanes in,” Cr Mannoun told 702 ABC Sydney Mornings. “It’s actually that simple to do.”A render of Transport for NSW’s Fifteenth Avenue planned upgrades.
     

     

      (Supplied: Transport for NSW)”While we are very thankful for the [government funding] … it’s only going to give us a two-lane road [in each direction],” the mayor said.The council said its plan would cost an additional $239m, but would save money in the future by avoiding further widening works.According to Transport for NSW, a potential second stage of the project would see the road widened even further to construct dedicated bus lanes. LCC said these upgrades would cost an additional $1 billion and require the demolition of about 90 properties, including newly built homes.”No family should lose their home because of a design that we already know is flawed and short-sighted,” Cr Mannoun said. “We want things done once, we want things done properly.”The local Labor state member, Leppington MP Nathan Hagarty, said the situation was “not as simple as the mayor is making out”.”There is very little credibility when it comes to Liverpool council delivering projects, and that’s why the NSW government has stepped in,” Mr Haggerty told 702 ABC Sydney Mornings.A Transport for NSW spokesperson said the government provided the LCC with funding more than five years ago to plan an upgrade for Fifteenth Avenue. They said the council never completed that work.A render of Liverpool City Council’s original vision for Fifteenth Avenue, released in 2019. (Screenshot: Liverpool City Council)It said property acquisition would be required for current and future stages of the road upgrade because LCC did not protect the corridor from housing development.”Based on comments from meetings with Liverpool council, Transport does not see the possibility of this alternate design,” the Transport for NSW spokesperson said.An LCC spokesperson rejected Transport for NSW’s account as “inaccurate”. They said the council used $1.5 million in state government funding to develop a viable design and business case for the Fifteenth Avenue upgrade before Transport for NSW assumed responsibility for the project in 2021.The council also said it had lobbied the government for more than a decade to preserve the corridor for future road widening because it lacked the legislative powers to set aside the land itself.Upgrade ‘restricts’ housing growth, ‘contradicts’ government policyQuestions have also been raised over the project’s alignment with the NSW government’s own transport and housing policy.According to its 2025 Connecting NSW Strategy, Transport for NSW said it will “rebalance” road investment away from adding capacity for car traffic and towards public transport, walking and cycling infrastructure.It said this redistribution in investment is required to support medium density “missing-middle” housing in areas close to infrastructure, services and jobs.Tegan Mitchell, a senior road engineer who worked at the state roads bureaucracy for two decades, said the Fifteenth Avenue upgrade plan contradicts government policy and the project’s original objective of supporting public transport.”What they are building is a traffic sewer, not unlike what Parramatta Road looks like now. We clearly haven’t learnt from past experience,” said Ms Mitchell, who is the president of Walk Sydney, a group that advocates to improve walking infrastructure.”You’ve got very powerful roads bureaucrats inside Transport for NSW that think big roads are the solution to every problem,” Ms Mitchell said.Ms Mitchell said the design would limit future housing growth in the area compared with the council’s proposal and is “nonsensical” given Sydney’s housing shortage.Senior Western Sydney infrastructure consultant Edward Chan said he was more supportive of the council’s approach to fixing the road.He said the inclusion of dedicated bus lanes from the outset would make LCC’s proposal better suited to support medium density housing around the corridor with rapid bus services, while the current design would be more suited to support low-density suburban sprawl.A 2023 NSW Productivity Commission report said reallocating road space to dedicated bus lanes can “risk worsening” car traffic but allows more people to travel overall.Traffic on Fifteenth Avenue is often congested in the rapidly growing area. (Supplied: Liverpool City Council)Mr Chan said the department’s design was less suited to the character of Western Sydney, and that it “risks dividing a suburb rather than connecting it.””That’s the last thing the community should want, especially with additional property acquisitions,” Mr Chan said.A Transport for NSW spokesperson said their proposal addresses the most pressing needs of the community and was urgently needed to relieve congestion and keep pace with development in an area where the number of homes is expected to triple by 2036.They said the project factors in forecast growth along Fifteenth Avenue and meets the department’s key infrastructure priorities, including the Connecting NSW Strategy.”The upgrade would increase road capacity and improve public and active transport,” the spokesperson said.

  • ‘How did that work for you?’: Andrew Tate tweet resurfaces following Miami arrest

    ‘How did that work for you?’: Andrew Tate tweet resurfaces following Miami arrest



    Andrew Tate, along with his brother Tristan, were arrested by US Marshals in Miami, Florida on Saturday, in relation to additional alleged sexual offences which take the total number of charges faced by the brothers up to 59.The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) brought 38 new charges against Andrew and Tristan Tate on Sunday, which pertain to offending alleged to have taken place between July 2010 and August 2017.For Andrew, these are seven further counts of rape, three counts of arranging or facilitating trafficking for sexual exploitation, three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and 19 additional charges for offences relating to indecent images of a child and child pornography.For Tristan, these are one count of sexual assault, two counts of rape and three counts of arranging or facilitating trafficking for sexual exploitation.These charges sit alongside 10 original counts for Andrew and 11 original counts for Tristan, which Bedfordshire Police said were authorised by the CPS following a file of evidence submitted by its officers relating to allegations dating back to 2012.The brothers have previously “unequivocally” denied wrongdoing, with Andrew describing himself and his brother as “very innocent men”. Malcolm McHaffie, head of the special crime division at the CPS, said in a statement: “We have decided to prosecute Andrew and Tristan Tate for further offences including rape, arranging or facilitating trafficking for sexual exploitation and offences relating to indecent images of a child.”These charging decisions followed receipt of a further file of evidence from Bedfordshire Police and bring the total number of alleged victims in this case to seven.”The Crown Prosecution Service reminds everyone that criminal proceedings are active, and that these defendants have the right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”And in light of the brothers being arrested, social users have pointed out a past tweet from Andrew Tate in February 2025 in which he claimed “the Tates will be free” because “Trump is the president”.The post has since been met with ridicule in light of the brothers’ arrest: “Can I get an update, Tate,” asked one account: Another wrote: “This aged well”: In a statement following the arrest of the Tates’, Assistant Chief Constable Karena Thomas, of Bedfordshire Police, said: “There is no place for male violence against women and girls, and we will continue to work tirelessly to support victims and investigate all reports made to us.”The Tates now await extradition proceedings to the UK, the CPS said.Why not read…?Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletterHow to join the indy100’s free WhatsApp channelHave your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

  • Leicestershire village residents and business owners say they fear taxes will go up in city expansion | West Bridgford Wire

    Leicestershire village residents and business owners say they fear taxes will go up in city expansion | West Bridgford Wire



    Leicester’s major boundary extension has been called a “big mistake” by residents and business owners in one village that’s set to become part of the city.The concerns have been raised after it was confirmed local government reorganisation will see Leicester City’s border expand into towns and villages such as Great Glen, Oadby, Wigston, and more, creating a much bigger Leicester than we see today.All councils will also be abolished to make way for two new unitary authorities – one for the city and one to represent Leicestershire and Rutland.The village of Narborough will be included in the new city boundary.Sheila Swann, 74, who lives in Enderby, said she didn’t agree with the city expansion.She said: “We have to keep it [the village] in the county, not with Leicester City.“I’d rather see things as they are at the moment. Leicester should be as it is and keep the county as it is, not merge it”.John Moran, 76, who lives in nearby Littlethorpe, said he fears people would be “left out” by the move.He added: “When you have a larger centralised system, people are going to be left out”.Mr Moran also said he felt that Narborough and the surrounding villages’ needs would “very unlikely” be met by the expansion plan.He said: “City dwellers are going to have some needs that are greater or different than our area or other areas.“It’s a political idea and sometimes political ideas don’t work for the whole population”.Small business owner Lorraine Lythe lives in Enderby and runs Myrtle’s Home and Me. She said she felt the village was being “dragged into the city”.The 60-year-old added: “I think it’s a big mistake.“People still want their separate identity from city to village. I have a five-year business plan that I will take each year as it comes, rather than assume, and we will see what they bring forward for it [businesses].“I love Narborough being a village, that’s why I’m here. I’d like to have been in the city but the city rates are now extortionate so I’m hoping we’re not going to be dragged into that”.Christine Hushwaite, 76, who lives in Enderby, said Narborough and surrounding villages “were nowhere near the city” and she didn’t agree with the plans.She added: “I know people don’t agree with it because of how many people on Facebook don’t agree with it. I don’t know anyone who agrees with it”.Joe Cox, 22, who lives in Littlethorpe, said he felt like the move would lead to an “impact on services” with “response times being slower”.He added: “Costs will increase, taxes on certain things and I think there will be an impact.“I’m not necessarily saying everything runs smoothly now, but I think we’ll definitely see an impact going forward.“I wouldn’t say it’s very fair. I understand the Government’s got a job to do and they think this is in the best interest and there’s not a lot we can do about it.“I don’t think it’s going to be a positive change”.The Labour Party, who have spearheaded local government reorganisation, said the move will “give residents a one stop shop for all their services”.A spokesperson added: “Labour politicians from across Leicestershire will work together with everyone to ensure whatever the outcome of the process we all focus on what matters most – delivering the best services possible for residents.By Chris Harper, Local Democracy ReporterÂ