A £50 million regeneration project for Bangor has finally been given the green light after being held up in a Stormont department for over a year due to flooding concerns.
On Tuesday evening (March 9) local politicians welcomed news that the investment plan for the Queen's Parade area, approved by Ards and North Down Council in January 2021, would not be “called in” by the Infrastructure Minister Nicola Mallon, and would instead be returned to the council to finish the application process.
Elected members from the council as well as local residents in the area had become increasingly incensed at the hold up coming from the Rivers Agency, which the department said had been carrying out an assessment on the planning application in relation to it falling within the flood inundation zone of Clandeboye Lake.
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The lake is over two miles away, and land between the lake and the seafront had continued to see planning applications approved without intervention.
The proposed scheme, developed by Bangor Marine Ltd, will see extensive work to a run-down area of the town. It will involve the building of new homes, a 66 bedroom hotel, a cinema and leisure facility, a public realm scheme, new streets, an events space and new cafes and restaurants.
The applicant said the project will create approximately 100 jobs per annum during construction, and 700 further jobs once it is “operational.”
The former B&M Bargains, Oxfam and Hospice shops on Main Street will be demolished, as well as other buildings on King Street, Southwell Road and Queen’s Parade.
An online petition calling for an end to the Stormont delay had gathered over 1,000 signatures, and a rally in support of the project had been planned in Bangor for this Saturday.
Minister Mallon said: “I appreciate the significant interest in this project across the Ards and North Down Council area and the frustrations with the time it has taken to consider this matter.
“I also recognise the legitimate concerns and issues raised in relation to flood risk which required careful consideration.
“After fully examining all matters involved I have concluded, in this instance, that this application does not raise issues of such importance that their impact is considered to extend to a sub-regional or regional level, and the circumstances of this case are not considered exceptional such as to render use of my power to “call in” the application.
“This has been a long and complex process, however I do not wish to delay this more than necessary for the people in the Bangor area who have waited a long time for the regeneration of Bangor seafront.”
Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Mark Brooks said: “I am absolutely delighted that Minister Mallon has ended this long-running impasse. Finally we have the green light for the Queen’s Parade development to proceed.
“I know there will be a collective cheer across the town as so many have been eagerly awaiting this positive news. I would like to thank all the residents and businesses that have taken time over recent weeks to write to the Minister to lobby for this decision – community action has paid fantastic dividends.
“We have inevitably lost some momentum on the project over this last year as we waited for this decision, but I know the developers, Bangor Marine, have the team in place to get things moving again. All partners are committed to making progress on this exciting development as quickly as possible to deliver for Bangor and our wider borough.
“The Queen’s Parade development, combined with the council’s own plans to regenerate Bangor Waterfront, offers the potential for more than £110m of investment to come into the town over the next ten years, delivering new attractions, accommodations and commercial opportunities. There is every reason to look forward with hope and excitement.”
Aran Blackbourne of Bangor Marine said: “We now await receipt of the green form so that we can reignite momentum and finalise our detailed designs. There is a lot of work to do before we can begin construction, but we are one step closer to bringing our vision of a rejuvenated waterfront to life.
“We appreciate the support from the local community and elected representatives in driving forward this decision as part of a recent campaign. We remain committed to Bangor and to the successful delivery of this sustainable scheme.”
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