Community Opposition to Seafront Redevelopment Plans
Residents have expressed significant opposition to a component of a multi-million pound redevelopment project in County Down that proposes converting a green space into a car park.
The Queen's Parade area of Bangor has been the focus of redevelopment discussions for decades, with the project experiencing numerous planning delays over the years.
Initially, the first phase of the project included plans for a small play park. However, revised proposals now feature a larger play park alongside car parking facilities on a small green area adjacent to the coastal path, which has caused concern among local residents.
The developer, Bangor Marine, acknowledged that alternative parking options had been considered but stated these "do not offer a practical route that meets the project's requirements".
"We have examined every alternative, and this is the only viable solution," the developer added.
The plans form part of the Marine Gardens project, which is the initial phase of the broader Queen's Parade redevelopment.
Loren Wilson, a member of the group behind the Save Marine Gardens petition, which has garnered over 4,500 signatures, highlighted the diverse users of the area.
"From cyclists and joggers to children and dog walkers, many people use the area, which has beautiful mature trees," Wilson said.
"It's just taking away community land that is natural and putting cars."
Linda McAuley, a former BBC Northern Ireland presenter, emphasized that the changes would affect not only residents but also visitors to Bangor.
"The group is keen that there is parking provision, particularly for people with disabilities," she said.
"But there's absolutely no need to dig up all of this green mature area with nature and plants and enjoyed by people of all ages all year round."
Details of the Revised Plans
Bangor Marine's updated proposal for the play park includes an 81-space car park situated within the green area.
The developer stated that the car park is "essential for families, elderly visitors, and those with accessibility needs," noting that current parking facilities are "insufficient for the anticipated increase in visitor numbers."
The revised plans remain subject to planning approval.
Overview of the Queen's Parade Project
The comprehensive £145 million Queen's Parade regeneration project will feature new homes, a hotel, offices, a market plaza, retail outlets, a play park, cafes, and restaurants.
Construction began last year.
The Marine Gardens phase is expected to cost approximately £14 million, with £9.8 million funded by the UK government's Levelling Up Fund.
The developer noted that the original Marine Gardens plans projected a financial loss and that "fundability has been the main obstacle to getting works under way."
The car park is anticipated to generate £250,000 annually, with the developer receiving the majority of this revenue and the council obtaining about 5%.
The North Down DUP group on Ards and North Down Borough Council warned that rejecting the new plans could jeopardize the Levelling Up funding, which they described as "critical to the viability of the entire redevelopment of Queens Parade and Bangor seafront."
Alison Blayney, chief executive of Kilcooley Women's Centre, stressed the importance of the development for the community.
"The people of Bangor desperately need this development to happen," she said.
"Business and tourism won't survive if we don't do it."
"We're at risk of this issue becoming Bangor's Casement Park, where the development becomes so unviable, where the finances aren't there to do it, that we're left with this black hole at the front of the seafront for the next generation."
"For a little strip of grass to hold up progress would be really, really sad."
Accessibility Considerations
Mandy McCreight emphasized the necessity of the car park for people with disabilities, older adults, and families to access the play park.
McCreight, who is disabled and has a son with a learning disability, reflected on her experiences.
"My children are older now but I remember when they were younger – if I wanted to take them to the park for a quick half hour after school would I have taken them to a park where I had to walk at least 400 metres there and back?"
"Probably not - I think I would have driven on and gone to another park where there was car parking close by."
Conversely, Joyce Craig expressed a preference for using the green space rather than the car park with her disabled son.
"I would use [the area] as a green and sit there with my son and look at the marina but not as a car park."
At a recent council meeting, unionist representatives voted in favor of the revised plans.
An Alliance motion from councillor Chris McCracken, which sought additional time to explore alternative car parking options, was rejected.
Nonetheless, McCracken indicated he intends to continue advocating for other solutions.
