Marine Gardens Update – Progress Gathers Momentum

17th September 2025

The closure of Queens Parade paves the way for the first major element of the scheme: the creation of the Marine Gardens, a new public realm that promises to reshape Bangor’s waterfront.

The plans cover two key areas. The former Queens Parade Car Park has now been cleared to make room for a generous public space featuring kiosks, pavilions, shelters, seating, and event zones.

Meanwhile, the plaza beside Bregenz House is due to receive a major facelift, bringing it in line with the new design. Once complete, the two sections will merge seamlessly into a single, vibrant destination for residents and visitors alike.

Already, the changes on site are striking. In little more than a week, the contractor’s compound has shifted from the plaza to a new base around the McKee Clock, where a cluster of orange cabins now forms a temporary site village. Across the wider site, diggers, trucks and heavy machinery have been busy preparing the ground.

The fountains have been removed, while many of the familiar lamp posts have been carefully taken away, potentially for reuse elsewhere.

Passers-by have been quick to notice the pace of activity, with many pausing to watch as the transformation gathers momentum. If progress continues at this rate, it won’t be long before the outline of the Marine Gardens begins to emerge; a reimagined heart for Bangor’s seafront and a key milestone in the city’s regeneration journey.

Queens Parade Car park Closes as Marine Gardens Work Commences

3rd September -2025

This week marks a turning point for Bangor city centre. Queens Parade car park was permanently on Friday, drawing a line under decades of waiting and uncertainty, and opening the way for the long-anticipated redevelopment of this pivotal stretch of the seafront.

While one car park is lost, another has already been returned to service. Holborn Square has reopened following a full resurfacing, with crisp new road markings, a more efficient layout, and improved accessibility. It’s ready once again to welcome drivers back into the heart of the city.

WORK TO START ON QUEENS PARADE ON 28th AUGUST

t’s official – Queen’s Parade regeneration is moving from plans to progress.

Bangor Marine Ltd has confirmed that from the last week in August, contractors will be on site, starting with security fencing at the McKee Clock Arena to prepare for the brand new events space, the first phase of this exciting project.

From Thursday 28th August, you’ll start to see real, visible progress. And on 5th September, Bangor Marine takes possession of the rest of the Marine Gardens site, with the Queen’s Parade car park closing to the public as the transformation gets underway.

After years of waiting, this is a major milestone on the road to restoring Bangor’s place as a premier coastal destination.

The wait is over. It’s happening.

Press Release – 13th August 2025
Queen’s Parade regeneration project gathers momentum

Bangor Marine Ltd, the company driving the regeneration of Queen’s Parade in the city, has announced they will be advancing works on site from the last week in August. Contractors will initially be installing security fencing at the McKee Clock Arena to facilitate work on the new events space, a significant milestone in delivering the first phase of the overall project.

Bangor Marine Ltd will take possession of the remainder of the Marine Gardens site on 5th September. At this point the Queen’s Parade car park will close to the public. This date will be further communicated to users of the car park in advance of the closure.

A spokesperson for Bangor Marine Ltd confirmed that the Bangor public will begin to see substantial progress on site from Thursday 28th August.

“We are now seeing the start of the rollout of this transformative project, which will put Bangor on the road to long-term and sustainable economic regeneration. We are pleased to be able to put the delays of the past behind us and move forward to recreate Marine Gardens and regenerate Queen’s Parade.

Bangor Marine Ltd is fully committed to ensuring Bangor reaches its full potential with a development that returns the city to its status as a premier coastal destination for residents and visitors. We are delighted to be making meaningful progress on the ground.”

MARINE GARDENS WORK TO START IN AUGUST

(Update: 3rd June 2025)

£70m regeneration project to reshape Bangor’s seafront

The wait is nearly over. After years of planning, setbacks and anticipation, work is officially set to begin this summer on the long-awaited regeneration of Queen’s Parade in Bangor.

The announcement was made by Communities Minister Gordon Lyons following the signing of legal agreements with key partners. The £70 million development marks one of the most significant investments in the town in decades and is set to transform the heart of Bangor’s seafront into a vibrant, mixed-use destination.

What’s Included in the Redevelopment?

The Queen’s Parade project, led by Bangor Marine Ltd and development partners Oakland Holdings, will deliver:

New residential units
A modern hotel
Office and co-working spaces
A new market plaza
Shops, cafés and restaurants
Public squares and green areas

Designed to reconnect Bangor’s city centre with the seafront, the development will enhance the town’s appeal to residents, visitors, and investors alike.

Construction Timeline

The project will be delivered in four key phases:

Summer 2025 – Phase 1:

Construction begins with the Marine Gardens public realm works, replacing the existing car park. This phase includes a new play park, two pavilions, food and drink kiosks, an events space and landscaped gardens. Completion is scheduled for July 2026 and is supported by £9.8 million in UK Government funding.

October 2025 – Phase 2:
Construction of new residential homes begins.

May 2026 – Phase 3:
A new hotel is set to rise on the site, bringing much-needed accommodation to the town centre.

2027 – Phase 4:
Final works will include additional housing and a cinema in the King Street area.

Stakeholder Views

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said:

“After years of expectation, this scheme will be transformational for Bangor. When combined with the £72.8 million Waterfront Investment from the Belfast Region City Deal, this is the start of a bright future for the city.”

Mayor Alistair Cathcart welcomed the news:

“Bangor has been waiting for this for a long time. Now that legal agreements are signed, I’ll be pushing to see work get started as soon as possible. Our residents deserve to see progress and to have confidence in the regeneration ahead.”

Aran Blackbourne from Bangor Marine Ltd added:

“We’re delighted to move forward with this exciting regeneration project alongside our new partners at Oakland Holdings. This is a major step forward for Bangor.”

Funding Breakdown

Department for Communities: Over £10 million
Bangor Marine Ltd (Karl Group/Oakland Holdings): Over £50 million
UK Government (Marine Gardens): £9.8 million

What It Means for Bangor

This redevelopment will help reinvigorate the town centre, stimulate economic growth, and create an inclusive space where people can live, work, shop, relax and enjoy the waterfront once again. With a design that blends modern accessibility with community function, Queen’s Parade is set to become a central piece in Bangor’s future story.

For more information, see the official announcement at communities-ni.gov.uk

A Change in the Consortium:- Enter Oakland Holdings

(Updated May 2025)

Oakland Holdings Joins Bangor Marine Consortium as Redevelopment Project Takes Major Step Forward

28 May 2025 | BangorByTheSea.com

The long-anticipated regeneration of Bangor's Queen's Parade waterfront has taken a significant step forward, as Belfast-based Oakland Holdings officially joins the Bangor Marine Ltd consortium. The announcement, made on 28 May 2025, confirms that Oakland will replace Farrans Construction, which has amicably exited the partnership following months of behind-the-scenes negotiations.

The move represents a pivotal moment for the £50+ million scheme, with legal agreements now largely resolved and formal signing expected within a week. This milestone unlocks the door for on-site construction work to begin this summer, a moment Bangor residents have awaited for years.

Farrans, which had contributed technical expertise during the project's early phases, has opted to step away from its developer role. In their place, Oakland Holdings brings an exceptional track record of delivering landmark developments across Northern Ireland. The firm is best known for:

Merchant Square, Belfast: A 266,000 sq ft Grade A office building now home to PwC's largest UK base outside London. Completed in 2020 and sold for a record-breaking £87 million.
Room2 Aparthotel, Belfast: A cutting-edge, 175-room 'hometel' on Queen Street, powered entirely by renewable energy. Opened in October 2023, the project received £11.6 million in funding from the Northern Ireland Investment Fund.

Oakland is also currently advancing a 400+ home development near Carrickfergus and is widely recognised for combining strong design credentials with sound financial engineering.

Their arrival into the Bangor Marine partnership is seen as a major boost to the Queen’s Parade scheme, which has endured numerous delays since it was first proposed over two decades ago.

Legal Framework Now in Place

Following prolonged and complex negotiations involving the Department for Communities (DfC), Ards and North Down Borough Council, Bangor Marine Ltd, and the Crown Estate, all major legal issues related to land ownership and rights have now been resolved.

With the transfer of shares from Farrans to Oakland finalised, all that remains is the formal signing of legal documentation, a process described as "complex but procedural" given the number of stakeholders involved.

What Happens Next?

A contractor for the Marine Gardens component of the project has already been appointed and is ready to mobilise within 3 to 4 weeks of the final documents being signed. The Marine Gardens element, which includes vibrant public realm spaces, has secured £9.8 million from the UK Government's Levelling Up Fund. The balance of design and construction costs will be met by Bangor Marine directly.

In total, the consortium's private investment in Bangor will exceed £50 million upon completion.

Reassurance and Optimism from Council Leaders

In a statement issued ahead of a Council meeting on 28 May, Mayor Alistair Cathcart expressed his satisfaction at the progress:

"This is an important and positive milestone for the scheme. I would add my thanks to all those involved in the negotiations for their hard work and dedication to the process. However, like many Bangor residents, I will only be fully satisfied when there are 'diggers on site'."

"Now that all agreements are in place, I will be pushing for that work to start as soon as possible. Bangor has been waiting for this for a long time and deserves both the investment and the regenerative potential that it will release for the city."

A Project Worth the Wait?

While public frustration with delays has been palpable, the addition of Oakland Holdings could represent the turning point in a saga that has stretched across generations. With fresh energy, proven financial credibility, and a clear path to delivery, the new consortium makeup has the potential to finally unlock the vast potential of Bangor’s waterfront.

Expect further updates in the coming weeks and, fingers crossed, construction equipment on the ground well before summer is out.

Stay tuned to BangorByTheSea.com for the latest updates on Queen's Parade and other major regeneration projects shaping the future of our city.

DEVELOPER SHAKE-UP AT QUEENS PARADE

(May 2025 Update)

It looks like there’s been a major shake-up in the Queen’s Parade regeneration project in Bangor.

Reliable sources suggest that the construction company Farrans, one of the original partners in Bangor Marine Ltd, has stepped away from the scheme, but a local Belfast-based development and financing company has stepped in to help take the £75m development forward.

This change in the consortium comes after months of delays, despite planning approvals, public funding, and promises to start work.

With the new partner now reportedly involved, the hope is that this long-awaited project can finally move toward construction and deliver the homes, hotel, cinema, public spaces and more that Bangor has been promised.

We’re keeping a close eye for official confirmation and will update as soon as we hear more.

WORK TO BEGIN IN APRIL

(February 2025 Update)

Bangor Marine Limited has provided an important update on the Marine Gardens project – while a few legal matters are still being finalised, they are close to resolution, and work is now expected to commence in April!

This is a huge step forward for the regeneration of Queen’s Parade, bringing Bangor closer to a transformed waterfront with new public spaces, enhanced facilities, and a fresh new look for our seafront.

With a start date now in sight, BangorByTheSea will keep you updated on progress, key milestones, and what to expect in the coming months.

The long wait is nearly over!

BANGOR MARINE PRESS RELEASE - 16th JANUARY 2025

Further Delays to Queens Parade Development as Legal Issues Stall Progress

Hopes of construction finally beginning on the long-awaited Queens Parade and Marine Gardens development have been set back once again, with legal processes delaying work on-site.

In a statement issued today, Bangor Marine, the developer behind the project, a partnership between Karl and Farrans, confirmed that outstanding legal agreements must be finalised before construction can commence. Despite previous expectations that work would begin in January, these processes have proven more complex than anticipated, meaning a further delay is now unavoidable.

Aran Blackbourne of Bangor Marine said:

"Bangor Marine, Ards and North Down Borough Council and the Department for Communities continue to work hard to progress a number of outstanding legal agreements in relation to the development of Marine Gardens. We had been hopeful of a start on site in January. Unfortunately, these processes have taken longer than anticipated due to their complexity, and we cannot begin work on site until all agreements are completed and in place.

"We understand that each delay is frustrating to the city. We remain committed to the scheme and to providing regular updates on the progress of Marine Gardens. We will issue another statement at the end of January to keep the local community informed of the project status at that point.”

The delay will come as yet another disappointment for many in Bangor, where frustration over the slow progress of the flagship regeneration project continues to grow. While the commitment to providing regular updates is welcomed, the community’s patience is wearing thin, and pressure is mounting for real, visible progress.

With legal matters still unresolved, the focus will now shift to the end of January, when Bangor Marine is expected to provide a further update. Residents and businesses will be watching closely to see whether this next milestone brings meaningful action, or yet another setback.

BANGOR MARINE PRESS RELEASE -11th NOVEMBER 2024

JANUARY 2025 CONFIRMED AS THE START DATE FOR QUEENS PARADE/MARINE GARDENS

Developer Bangor Marine, working alongside Ards and North Down Borough Council and the Department for Communities, has said that work on site on the major public realm project at Marine Gardens is now intended to commence in January 2025.

Marine Gardens, part of the Queen’s Parade regeneration project, covers 5.25 acres and will include a new play park, two pavilions, kiosks with food and beverage offerings, an events space, and associated landscaping. To be constructed over the course of a year, Marine Gardens will provide an inviting new energy and vibrancy to the city’s waterfront destination from 2026 and beyond.

Following submissions by Bangor Marine, the remaining planning matters to facilitate the start of work on site were approved by the Council at its Planning Committee meeting of Tuesday 5 November. The various required legal agreements are due to be in place by the end of November.

Aran Blackbourne of Bangor Marine, a partnership between Karl and Farrans, said:

“The commitment shown to this project by all government departments and the Council has been excellent. There has been great teamwork, and everyone has played their part. We were all disappointed to not get started in October, but the legal and planning documents need to be in place. Pulling this all together is extremely challenging with so many different parties involved.

“In the last two months, we have completed and submitted for approval the detailed designs for Marine Gardens, the pavilions, kiosks and shelters, and we have achieved discharge on all 11 planning conditions. Following this week’s meeting we have secured the approval of our amended drainage solution and alterations to phasing. We anticipate discharge of final landscaping conditions alongside resolution of legal matters later this month. We have tendered all the main work packages, are working to reach the final agreement with The Crown Estates and have completed exploratory works on the quayside. These are all complex and technical matters that require a heavy investment of time.

“With another critical meeting of the Council due to take place in late November, we planned to move our scheduled start forward by a month. However, as we approach December, we are mindful of the desire of retailers in the city centre to have access to the car park during the busy Christmas period. Therefore, it is practical and sensible to look at a commencement date in early January.”

Mayor of Ards and North Down Borough Council said: “I know that people in Bangor just want to see work start on the Queen’s Parade redevelopment and that this, albeit short delay, will be met with frustration. I would assure residents that while not visible to the public, a huge amount of work to progress the scheme has been delivered by partners in recent months and momentum is high. January is always a reset period and a good time for a new start. I will be following progress carefully to ensure that all efforts are made for this project to be on site as early in January as possible.”

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons MLA said: “Projects of this nature are extremely complex, given the number of stakeholders and work streams, and it is a credit to my Regional Development Office team, Ards and North Down Borough Council, and the developer, Bangor Marine that we have all worked collaboratively to reach this substantial milestone. This is a fantastic achievement and one of the final steps towards commencement of construction. After many years of hope and expectation, this project will be genuinely transformational for the people of Bangor and the future City Centre economy. I look forward to seeing this work start in the new year.”

Marine Gardens, which forms part of the Queen’s Parade regeneration project, secured UK ‘Local Government Funding’ (previously known as Levelling Up Funding) with Bangor Marine providing private funding of £2m for this public realm element. When the entire project has completed, the Queen’s Parade development will include new homes, a hotel, offices, a market plaza, local retail, cafes and restaurants.

In advance of work beginning, Farrans' stakeholder and social value team will be present in the area speaking to local businesses, residents, retailers, and government representatives to ensure all are kept appraised of scheduled activity

Marine Gardens Redeveloment on Track to Begin in October

(September 2024 Update)

Bangor's waterfront regeneration is finally moving forward, with developers Bangor Marine, a partnership between Karl Group and Farrans, confirming that work on the Marine Gardens project is on track to start before the end of October.

This very welcomed news comes after extensive collaboration with the Council and the Department for Communities, marking a significant step in the long-awaited project.

Spanning 5.25 acres, Marine Gardens promises to bring a vibrant new energy to the city’s waterfront, with plans for a new play park, two pavilions, food and beverage kiosks, an events space, and beautiful landscaping.

The development is designed to strengthen the cohesion of the overall Queen’s Parade scheme and provide an inviting destination for residents and visitors alike.

The project, which secured UK Local Government Funding (previously known as Levelling Up Funding), also includes a £2 million private funding commitment from Bangor Marine for this public realm transformation.

Upon completion, the larger Queen’s Parade development will feature new homes, a hotel, offices, a market plaza, and an array of cafes, restaurants, and retail spaces.

Ahead of the construction, Farrans' stakeholder and social value team will be in the area, connecting with local businesses, residents, and retailers to keep them informed about the upcoming works.

Aran Blackbourne of Bangor Marine shared his optimism:

"After many years of hard work, we are thrilled to be mobilising our team to get started on-site. We are working quickly to finalise the remaining planning conditions, licences, and agreements and are hopeful that everything will be in place on time."

“We want to create a place for the people of Bangor to feel proud of, putting the heart back into Queen’s Parade. Your patience and support have brought us to this exciting point, and we can’t wait to bring this project to life!”

Exciting New Features

Art Installation:

Small but crucial design changes have been made to Marine Gardens to accommodate an exciting art installation by local artist Colin Davidson.

Pavillion Buildings:

Two new Pavilion Buildings will feature restaurant and café options.

Sales Kiosks:

Four sales kiosks will be positioned along the promenade to increase footfall and revitalise the waterfront.

Committment to Transformation:

To allow time for the various authorities to approve the newly submitted information, the aim is now to start on-site in October.

While this is later than initially hoped, Bangor Marine is fully committed to this vital project and is eager to get started.

Despite the challenges ahead, their dedication to transforming the area remains unwavering.

Preparing the Way

February 2024

Work has begun to clear vegetation from the Queens Parade car park site in preparation for the construction of the new Marine Gardens, set to commence in July.
The Marine Gardens project marks the initial phase of the extensive Queens Parade development.
This development will include a new hotel, 137 apartments, and a variety of retail, office, and leisure spaces.

PREPARATORY WORK BEGINS AT MARINE GARDENS

February 2024

Bangor is gearing up for the eagerly awaited transformation of Queen’s Parade, scheduled to commence in the summer of 2024. The initial phase will see activity in the vicinity of the Marine Gardens’ car park.

In anticipation of the summer start, essential pre-construction clearance will begin on Tuesday. This entails clearing vegetation within a specified zone, as outlined below, ahead of the bird nesting season.

Commencing on Tuesday, February 27th, and expected to span seven days, the clearance operation will be conducted by a contractor from Bangor Marine, the firm behind the Queen’s Parade redevelopment. While minor disruptions are anticipated in certain sections of the parking area, accessibility will be maintained throughout the duration of the works.

Council’s Parks Service representatives have conducted a thorough assessment of the site's flora. This includes evaluating the condition and potential relocation of various trees. Unfortunately, a significant number of trees, primarily those in tree pits, are in a state of decline, rendering them unfit for transplantation. Trees in healthier condition, located in car park flower beds and lawns, are deemed too mature for successful relocation.

However, the timber harvested from the site will not go to waste. It is earmarked for utilisation by community groups, including Holywood Men’s Shed for various projects like woodturning and habitat creation, as well as local schools for forest and environmental initiatives.

In a promising development, Bangor Marine has committed to planting approximately 70 new trees, including semi-mature specimens for immediate visual impact, alongside a diverse range of other plants as part of their comprehensive Marine Gardens redevelopment plan.

Aran Blackbourne of Bangor Marine emphasises the commitment to the July 2024 timeline, stating, “There's a considerable amount of work ahead to adhere to our summer start goal. These preparatory steps, conducted in compliance with bird protection laws, are crucial to ensure no delays in our July commencement. We anticipate minimal disruption during these initial works and look forward to promptly restoring normal access to Marine Gardens post-clearance.”

Queen Parade Development

January 2024

https://www.facebook.com/bangorbythesea

Through this page and our affiliated Facebook page www.facebook.com/bangorbythesea, we are dedicated to keeping the communication open between the residents of Bangor and the development partners involved in the Queens Parade project. This partnership includes the Ards and North Down Borough Council, the Department for Communities, Bangor Marine Ltd, and various private sector partners and agencies. We aim to ensure you are kept up-to-date with the latest progress.

In October 2022, Bangor Marine Ltd achieved a milestone by receiving planning consent for the project. This consent comes with more than 50 conditions that need to be resolved before construction can begin.
We are pleased to report that these conditions are being systematically addressed, although several are still in the process of being finalised. These include important aspects like archaeological surveys, pollution management plans, bird surveys, and more, which can often take longer than initially expected.

Nevertheless, the development is making strides. We anticipate that preliminary groundwork will commence shortly, leading to major construction activities scheduled for this coming summer.

Earlier this week, Aran Blackbourne, director of Bangor Marine Ltd. shared his optimism and dedication to the project, stating:

“We have been making steady progress behind-the-scenes as we work to begin Marine Gardens, with our current programme to start on site in Summer 2024.

We are continuing to do everything possible on this project and, as with any major scheme, there are elements which are outside of our control. This makes it difficult to provide an exact start date at this stage.

We are as keen as everyone to see activity on site, and we remain fully committed to this incredibly important project. We will provide a further update in February.”

**Footnote: "BangorByTheSea" will publish all updates as and when they are released. To stay informed and up-to-date, please consider following this page by clicking on "Follow" in the menu:- https://www.facebook.com/bangorbythesea

Queens Parade Developers Provide Encouraging Update

18th July 2023

Bangor Marine, the consortium leading the transformation of Queens Parade, has released a statement, shedding light on the latest developments of their ambitious city centre. Collaborating with partners, including Hemingway Design, the developers have been diligently working on refining the intricate details of the extensive Marine Gardens area.

Aran Blackbourne of Bangor Marine has expressed optimism and enthusiasm for the future of the Queens Parade Development.

With the Marine Gardens area previously securing £9.8 million in funding from the Westminsters levelling-up fund, the consortium continues to forge ahead, making significant strides towards the realization of their vision.

Aran Blackbourne of Bangor Marine today said:

“Over the last few months, we have been working on the detailed design for the Queen’s Parade project in consultation with the Council and Hemingway Design. This has resulted in some unique opportunities to improve the offering at Marine Gardens, including the introduction of a new play area. We believe these changes will greatly enhance the plans, providing additional benefits for residents and visitors to the city.

It was fantastic to receive an award of £9.8m from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund for Marine Gardens.

We have been working closely with the Levelling Up Fund team to finalise the funding arrangements, including the commitments required from Bangor Marine, and we hope these will all be in place in the very near future.

We are also undertaking the requirements to satisfy the Planning Pre-Conditions. Unfortunately, this is taking a little longer than we originally anticipated. This involves preparing reports and carrying out surveys, which are then sent to the various consultees for consideration.

With all of this needing to be finalised before we can get going on site, there will be a short delay in seeing work starting. However, we hope to undertake prestart works late this year, with construction starting in early 2024.

We remain fully committed to delivering this landmark project for the City of Bangor.”

Bangor Marine Secures £9.8m from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund

20th January 2023

Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Department of International Trade, Andrew Bowie, today visited the City of Bangor to congratulate Bangor Marine on securing £9.8M from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund.

The funding will be used to deliver the Marine Gardens element of the wider £50M redevelopment of Queen’s Parade in the City.

Aran Blackbourne of Bangor Marine met with the Minister and outlined the company’s plans for a mixed-use development on the site, including new homes, a hotel, events space, public realm, cafes and restaurants.

Commenting on the funding, Mr Blackbourne said:

“The City of Bangor has received a very positive boost from the UK Government Levelling Up Fund, and we welcome the news that £9.8m has been ringfenced for Bangor Marine to deliver the Marine Gardens as part of our Queen’s Parade regeneration project.

“Public realm space has a critical part to play in the success of all towns and cities, providing a setting for community life, enhancing cohesiveness and adding to the welcoming vibrancy of a destination. We have always said that we want to create a place for the people of Bangor to feel proud of. Marine Gardens has a very important role to play in this aspiration and we look forward to bringing this to reality.”

The Department for Communities and Ards and North Down Borough Council are partners with Bangor Marine in the delivery of the Queen’s Parade scheme.

The Minister’s visit took place at Bangor Court House, which has recently been restored by Open House into a music and arts venue that provides a permanent home for the charity. It overlooks the part of Bangor that will be transformed with the Levelling Up Funding.

This funding news comes in the same week that Ards and North Down Borough Council revealed it has been awarded £40 million of funding for the Bangor Waterfront Development as part of the Belfast Region City Deal. Bangor Waterfront is a complementary investment to the Queen’s Parade plans, which will see the redevelopment of a two-mile stretch of coastline from Skippingstone Beach to Ballyholme, with the aim of delivering a significant boost to tourism and encouraging further investment.

The long-awaited "Green Form" has been Issued

October 2022

The Queens Parade developers have received the long awaited “Green Form” that officially gives the go-ahead for construction work to begin.

Letters have simultaneously been sent out to tenants of the Project 24 site informing them that they will have to vacate the site by next March to facilitate the commencement of construction work.

Follow the link below to read the decision notice

The Green Form - Decision Notice
The official notice of planning approval signed and dated on 29th September 2022
Decision Notice.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [2.1 MB]

COUNCIL APPROVES QUEENS PARADE DEVELOPMENT …again!

July 2022

The Council planning committee has just approved the Queens Parade plan (again), after it was previously "approved" in January 2021. A few weeks later however, the department of infrastructure called in the project after the Rivers Agency raised concerns regarding potential water inundation from Clandeboye lake. But, after 13 months the application was handed back to the council for reconsideration and thankfully was re-approved at this evenings meeting. Nonetheless, the developer suggested that it will be at least a year before we’ll see a digger on the ground!

JUNE 2022 - The Developers (Bangor Marine) submit a Revised Construction Schedule

Phase 1:

*Setting up of 2 site compounds (yellow blocks)

*Public realm works at McKee Clock Plaza

*Demolition of Hospice & Oxfam shops (for new "Trinity Way" Lane

*Side extension to Cafe Nero with outside space

Phase 2

*Relocation of Site compounds (yellow blocks)

*Public realm works (Marine Gardens - west side)

*Construction of residential apartments on west side of site

*Construction of basement car park

Phase 3

*Construction of Hotel, Offices, Retail block & kids Zone

*Construction of Market Square and under-deck car park

Phase 4

*Construction of Cinema/Theatre multi-use building

*Construction of King Street Dwellings

*Finishing off of roadways, footpaths, landscaping etc

PS: all information subject to change.

QUEENS PARADE GETS GO-AHEAD AS DFI MINISTER RETURNS THE APPLICATION TO THE COUNCIL

March 2022

Mallon refers Queens Parade planning application back to Council for determination.

Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has decided that her Department will not “call in” the Queens Parade development planning application for determination.

The Minister has now written to Ards and North Down Borough Council confirming this decision and has indicated that the ‘Holding’ Direction is no longer in place and the Council can continue to process the application accordingly.

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.”

Notes to editors:

1. The application, LA06/2020/0097/F, is for a mixed use development including offices, residential, retail leisure, hotel,
car parking and public realm on lands mainly around Queen’s Parade, Bangor, as well as on Main Street, King Street, Southwell Road and the Marine Gardens car park and an area around the McKee
Clock.

2. On 27 January 2021 the Department was subsequently notified by ANDBC, under the Planning (Notification of Applications)
Direction 2017, of its intention to grant approval for a major planning application for a redevelopment scheme in Bangor where it had received a significant objection from a statutory consultee
relating to potential flooding issues.

The Queens Parade Story to date, as of 20/02/22.

County Down Spectator Article - QUEENS PARADE LIMBO

County Down Spectator

COUNCIL TO MEET TO DEBATE QUEENS PARADE LIMBO ON 18th January 2022

Council Planning Meeting as referenced in the Spectator Article
The planning meeting of the 18th January 2022 as reference in the Spector article below lasted for over 5 hours of which 5 minutes (at the end of the meeting) was used to discuss the Queens Parade issues.
Planning Meeting - Article 11.mp4
MP4 video/audio file [22.2 MB]

DFI Reservoirs Act
Councils response to the consultation in regards to the proposed DFI Reservoirs Act
Article 11 Planing Committee.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [544.6 KB]

PLANNED legislation that has left Bangor’s £50m Queen’s Parade revamp in limbo is set to be debated by Ards and

North Down Council this month. As the Spectator exclusively revealed two months ago, the huge redevelopment of the

centre of Bangor has been held up by the doomsday flood fears of Stormont civil servants. Officials are worried that the revamp would be at risk of becoming partly flooded if a lake three miles away from Bangor seafront burst its banks – something that, if it happened, would mean that thousands of homes in heavily residential parts of the town would be underwater before any of the floods touched Queen’s Parade. But the civil servants are still nervous about signing off on the £50m project, pointing to concerns flagged up during computer testing carried out in line with a reservoir safety act that hasn’t yet become law in Northern Ireland. Stormont’s Department for Infrastructure is currently running a consultation on that proposed reservoir safety act, however, and has asked Ards

and North Down Council for its views on the possible advantages, disadvantages and effects of the new law. The council has now resolved to take the issue to one of its committee meetings this week, with politicians pointing out that the legislation is already causing severe delays for the enormous regeneration scheme, even though it is still

only on the cards and has not yet been enacted by Stormont. As councillor Alistair Cathcart said at a recent meeting of the full council: “The failure of the Secretary of State in relation to the reservoirs act is hindering redevelopment with serious consequences in our borough.” The deadline for commenting on the consultation is January 23; the council is due to discuss the legislation at its Planning Committee meeting on January 18, but as that’s close to the deadline the committee is being given the authority to issue a response on behalf of the entire

council. Said alderman Stephen McIlveen: “Given the impact this has had on numerous planning applications throughout the borough, [including] some multi millionpound applications that this council is very aware of, it’s very important that we deal with this quickly and get this legislation on the books.” Councillor Philip Smith stated that some parts of the legislation need to be ‘firmly pondered’ by the council, adding that he looked forward to ‘the council giving its fulsome response’ to the consultation. The Queen’s Parade hold-up is due to a major hurdle from

the Department forInfrastructure’s Rivers section, which has to sign off on major schemes such as the £50m revamp. DfI Rivers say that part of the development along Southwell Road – planned site of car parking and ground floor apartments – would be at risk of flooding if a privately owned reservoir on the western outskirts of Bangor bursts its banks. That refers to Clandeboye Lake, located in the sprawling grounds of the Clandeboye Estate – meaning that for civil servants’ fears to come true, so much water would have to spill in a flash flood that much of Kilcooley, Bangor West and the town centre would be partially underwater before Queen’s Parade is hit.

There’s no suggestion that there are any issues with Clandeboye Lake, not least as

the Estate is widely known to be a very responsible landowner; nonetheless, DfI Rivers say that they won’t approve the project until they can get proof that the reservoir would not pose any danger to Queen’s Parade. Officials are following the rules of the reservoir safety act; but as that act has not yet been voted into law, owners of reservoirs on private property don’t have to follow it, and Stormont doesn’t have any authority to demand repairs to

private reservoirs. The upshot is that even though the council granted the Queen’s Parade scheme planning permission almost a year ago, developers Bangor Marine are stuck waiting for the verdict of DfI Rivers. Should the civil servants decide that the risks are too great and Clandeboye Lake needs to be seriously upgraded, without the reservoir act in place no one in any government body has the power to make that happen – potentially threatening to scupper the whole Queen’s Parade revamp.

Queens Parade Deadlock

It is understood that the Councils Planning Committee is to meet on Tuesday the 18^th of January to discuss the proposed Reservoir Safety legislation. Their objective is to deliver a response to the Department of Infrastructure's consultation process.

The meeting will take place just three working days before the end of the consultation process allowing no time for the committee to bring their response to a full council meeting. They have however been given the authority to deliver their response to the DFI on behalf of the entire council.

There are a number of questions that arise from this briefing.

Why did they leave their engagement with the consultation process until the eleventh hour?
The Clandeboye lake issue was raised many months ago. Did any of our elected representatives, either individually or collectively directly engage with the DFI Minister or the DFC Minister (who is the project lead) to petition against “worst case scenario” modelling?
What is the objective of this meeting and how do the committee members envisage their response (to the consultation exercise) will break the current deadlock?
If the Reservoir Safety Legislation does not currently apply to Northern Ireland why do the planners not operate solely within the boundaries of current NI legislation?

Responsibility

There is also the issue of our locally elected representatives (at all levels) not taking any responsibility for the failures thus far.

Local social media pages repeatedly see councillors shift their responsibility and blame to the Department for Communities. The fact is, the Council are project partners with the DFC and the developers “Bangor Marine” so it is incumbent on them, particularly as the local authority to use their power and influence to best effect. Meanwhile the lack of progress would suggest that they have been sitting on their hands.

Communication

As already mentioned, the Queens Parade project is a joint enterprise but where our local Council should be taking the lead is in communication, as they are closest to the people most invested in the scheme. But, yet again the Councils performance has been shockingly poor.

We (the public) have two main go-to platforms for information. There is the DFC webpage which is:-

https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/articles/regeneration-queens-parade-bangor

or the Councils page:-

https://www.ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk/business/bangor-regeneration/queens-parade

Please note the contradictory statements:

DFC Page:-

“A number of properties were acquired through a Vesting Order in January 2017, which completed the Departments acquisition of all the required land and property to take forward the scheme.”

Council Page:

The Queen’s Parade area of Bangor has been largely derelict for almost 20 years and its regeneration has been a priority for the Department for Communities, which owns most of the site.

And:-

“Council awaits DfI Planning’s determination, and in the meantime continues to work alongside the developer, Bangor Marine, and the Department for Communities, who currently own the majority of the site, to progress the scheme.”

So, what is the current state of affairs, do the DFC own all the required land and property?

Oversight & Governance

I refer again to the DFC webpage.

It states that:-

“A Project Board, comprising representatives from the Department, Ards & North Down Borough Council, Strategic Investment Board, Land & Property Services and the developer, has been established to oversee the governance and delivery of the Development Scheme, ensuring compliance with the conditions and timescales set within the Development Agreement.

This Board will meet regularly throughout the duration of the project.”

How many times has the project board met thus far?
When did the Project Board last convene?

The DFC Page also states:-

“Work is ongoing between the Department for Communities, the Ards and North Down Borough Council, and the developer, Bangor Marine, to develop a joint communications and stakeholder engagement plan, to inform the local community of progress as we enter the next phases of the Queen’s Parade Development. Part of this work involves Bangor Marine developing a website where updates will be publicised.”

Has the joint communications and stakeholder engagement plan been established?
How many times has joint communications and stakeholder engagement plan met thus far?
When did the joint communications and stakeholder engagement plan last convene?
When will the aforementioned website be accessible?

DFC Acquired Property Currently “To Let”

The former B&M Bargains is an integral part of the regeneration scheme which is earmarked for completion by 2025.

Why do the DFC have this building on the market “To Let” given that it is due for demolition?

There are many more questions requiring answers but it would be greatly appreciated if our local Councillors in particular, and/or our MLA's/Ministers would care to furnish their electorate with answers to the above as a start to a new and more transparent engagement with those they claim to represent.

QUEENS PARADE DEADLOCK
A PRINTABLE & DOWNLODABLE VERSION OF THIS ARTICLE
QP Deadlock.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [336.9 KB]

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The Queens Parade Redevelopment Scheme Faces Further Setbacks

October 2021

IIn January 2021, Ards and North Down Borough Council’s Planning Committee gave their approval to the plans submitted by Bangor Marine Limited, for the development site located at Queen’s Parade and Marine Gardens in Bangor.

Since then the Department for Infrastructure (DFI), which has the power to "call-in" the project, has been carrying out an assessment on the planning application with particular focus on Clandeboye Lake and its associated potential safety issues.

The DfI have raised concerns in relation to the possible breaching of the reservoir which could potentially result in water inundation of the Queens Parade under deck car park.

Council awaits DfI’s determination, and in the meantime continues to work alongside the developer, Bangor Marine, and the Department for Communities, who currently own the majority of the site, to progress the scheme.

(N.B. £8,805,577.96 of public money so far spent on property acquisition)

Extract from DFI letter, dated 6th September 2021.

“...DfI Rivers reservoir inundation maps indicate that this site is in a potential area of inundation emanating from Clandeboye Lake. It has not been demonstrated to DfI Rivers that the condition, management and maintenance regime of Clandeboye Lake is appropriate to provide sufficient assurance regarding reservoir safety so as to enable the development to proceed,as required under Policy FLD 5.”

That was the Department of Infrastructures position on the 6th September 2021. Since then the DFI have released another letter confirming their position.

LATEST POSITION

Further document released on 18th October 2021

Click on the Document Below

Department for Infrastructure Rivers Planning Advisory Modelling Unit
Presumption Against any Development.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [399.6 KB]

Perhaps all the hype & euphoria back in January was somewhat premature.

Maybe our elected political representatives would like to comment on what planning approval actually means.

Somebody needs to take responsibility for this shambles. Hundreds of thousands of pounds have previously been spent on consultants fees to produce a development package that was presumed to be "shovel ready"for potential developers. In fact the site had sucessfully been through the planning process before it even went out to tender. One would have thought that any concerns about Clandeboye lake would have been raised at that particular juncture, a few years ago. So what happens now? Well, that is for our local politicians to answer. It will be interesting to hear what they have to say!

January 2021

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has welcomed the planning approval of a £50m mixed use development in the Queen’s Parade area of Bangor.

Ards and North Down Borough Council’s Planning Committee gave their approval at a meeting in January 2021.

The proposed scheme, developed by Bangor Marine Ltd (a partnership between Karl Group and Farrans), will see extensive improvements to the run down area of Bangor including new homes, a hotel, public realm scheme, events space and cafes/restaurants.

Welcoming approval of the Queen’s Parade planning application, Minister Hargey said:

“This is yet another major step in the right direction towards seeing this long awaited development delivered for the people of Bangor. This exciting scheme will create jobs, shops, offices and homes, and regenerate an area of the town that has been run down for some time. This is a genuinely exciting time for Bangor especially as we look forward to more positive times when we can emerge from the covid pandemic. I want to thank Council and Bangor Marine Ltd for their efforts in progressing this significant application at a challenging time.

I know this development is much anticipated by the local community and I too look forward to seeing the scheme go from concept to reality. With Queen’s Parade and the ongoing plans for the wider regeneration of the Bangor seafront area as part of the Belfast Region City Deal, there is much to look forward to for Bangor town centre in the future.”

The Queen’s Parade area of Bangor has been largely derelict for almost 20 years and its regeneration has been a priority for the Department for Communities, which owns most of the site. The site was offered for sale by way of a Development Brief. The Department, Ards and North Down Borough Council and Bangor Marine reached formal agreement on the terms that formed a Development Agreement in May 2019.

The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Trevor Cummings said:

“The Planning Committee’s approval of this £50m development is an immense boost to Bangor, and the wider Ards and North Down area. Planning Officers worked closely with Bangor Marine and various consultees to redesign any potential obstacles in order that the application could be recommended to proceed. We are grateful to all those who contributed to the process, which was complex and rigorous".

He continued:

“Having achieved this milestone we can look forward to seeing progress on the programme for work ‘on the ground’ and further engagement with local residents and businesses. The Queen’s Parade development, combined with the Council’s own plans to regenerate Bangor Waterfront, offer the potential for more than £110m of investment to come into the town delivering new attractions, accommodations and commercial opportunities. These really are game-changing times for Bangor and we are all impatient to see them come to fruition.”

Aran Blackbourne of Bangor Marine Ltd said:

“This is hugely exciting. Getting planning approval moves us another step closer to our vision of bringing life back to Queen’s Parade and giving a much needed boost for the whole town. We would like to thank our professional team of Todd Architects, Park Hood, Atkins and Turley in working with us to secure planning permission.

“We want to create a place for local people and visitors to enjoy, a place to live, socialise and soak up the wonderful sea views. We want to play our part in creating a sustainable future for this beautiful town. There is still a lot of hard work ahead but we are ready for the next phase and we will keep people informed on plans and timescales as they unfold.”

The proposed Bangor Marine Ltd scheme is made up of;

Marine Gardens Public Realm combining External Events Space

Cafes

Sheltered Promenade & Kiosks

Seafront Lawns

Children’s Play Area & Water Feature

a Hotel

a Destination/Cinema Building

Residential Units

Commercial/Retail/Restaurant Space

Office Space

a Play Zone

Refurbishment of Existing Commercial Properties

basement Car Park

Marketplace & Courtyard Squares.

Director of Bangor Marine Ltd. speakes about his vision for Bangor

THE FULL PLANNING REPORT IS AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD USING THE LINK BELOW

CASE OFFICER PLANNING REPORT
153 PAGE DOCUMENT - EVERYTHING YOU NEED [...]
Adobe Acrobat document [4.2 MB]

"Bangor Marine Limited"

New Revised Plan

Now that we're properly into the new year and the dust of 2020 has settled, it's a perfect time to take stock of where we're at in terms of the long anticipated development of our seafront and town centre.

Whilst 2020 severely disrupted many of our personal plans and dampened our spirits I am gladly surprised that the planning application submitted by “Bangor Marine” (the Queens Parade developers) in January 2020 is pushing forward steadily.

Many of the issues raised by the varies government departments have been essentially resolved and the application will be brought to a special Council planning meeting next week with an expectation that planning consent will be achieved.

So I would expect construction work to begin around Autumn of 2021.

I hope for all our sakes that 2021 is a year were the light at the end of the tunnel shines brighter and brighter so we can move forward better and stronger as a town and as a community.

Queens Parade Proposed Plan

The proposed development seeks to transform the wider Queen’s Parade and marina area with the development of a hotel, retail, office, community, cultural and recreational space, in addition to eateries, a residential development as well as the creation of new public squares and courtyards.

Detailed Layout Plan
· Car parking has been tucked away
under the public squares and will be
accessed from Southwell Road

· Pedestrian movements have been
prioritised on Queen’s Parade in order
to connect the site to the waterfront

· Creation of new streets and laneways
accessed from Main Street

· New public open spaces including
Market Square providing a visual
link to the waterfront
(the space will be slightly larger than St Anne Square, Belfast)
Key Elements.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [5.2 MB]

£50 Million Seafront Development Plan Agreed

Bangor Marine Ltd has been appointed to take forward a major £50 million regeneration project of Queen's Parade in Bangor.

The scheme will transform the County Down town's seafront, bringing new houses, shops, offices and employment opportunities to the area.

Bangor Marine has been awarded the contract by the Department for Communities, which Permanent Secretary Tracy Meharg said will support the vitality of the employment and tourism industry. She commented: "The new hotel and cafes will encourage more tourists to visit Bangor and help to support the retail offering and enhance the evening economy. The new homes will lead to more people living in Bangor again supporting local consumer outlets. When combined with new offices, this development will help to create new employment opportunities and breathe new life back into Bangor."

The proposed scheme includes the following additions to the seafront:

• children's play area and water feature

• sheltered promenade and kiosks

• marine gardens public realm combining external events space

• seafront lawns

• a 70-80 bed hotel

• a destination/cinema building

• residential units

• commercial, retail & restaurant spaces

• a play zone

• refurbishment of existing commercial properties

• 200 space car park

• market place & courtyard squares.

Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Richard Smart, said the regeneration of Queen's Parade is "critical" for the future of Bangor and of maximising the economic growth potential of the area.

The Cinema/Arts Centre

CGI Images Released on November 2020

New Computer Generated Images of Proposed Cinema/Arts Centre

Computer Generated Image just released showing the proposed cinema on "The Market Place" ...a new public square created as part of the Queens Parade development

Key features include:-

•Stone clad ground floor level with set back colonnade Cinema entrance detail.

•Recessed windows and set back fascia details to contain a branding / advertising space.

•Feature 4.8m high oriel windows that are located to take advantage of key views out and moments within the building.

•Side window –located at the top of the main circulation stair and framing a view down to Main Street.

•The main front window facing the bar and overlooking the Market Place; and a smaller window on axis with the circulation in to and out of the cinema screens.

On closer consideration of the design we can appreciate the natural stone cladding adorning the pillars and ground floor elevations.
The protruding and recessed fenestration is perfectly balanced to provide shelter and to capitalize on the stunning waterfront views.

The building can be purposed for Bangor's many festivals including Open House and Sea Bangor etc.
Hopefully the many positive elements of the building will grow in favour as its purpose and potential is realised.

The protruding and recessed fenestration is perfectly balanced to provide shelter and to capitalize on the stunning waterfront views.