Ritchie publishes consultation report on proposals for Marine Gardens

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA today published her Department’s report on the public’s response to the development plans for the Queen’s Parade area of Bangor.

Margaret Ritchie said: "I would like to thank all the people that took the time to view the presentation and express their opinion on the development plans. The level of public interest and engagement in the consultation exercise was overwhelming. During the consultation over 2,715 leaflets were issued to visitors to the exhibition and there were 2,642 hits to the Department’s website to view the plans. In total the Department received 692 written responses highlighting and recommending a range of issues for the Department to consider.

"It is clear that the local community, business community and elected representatives are passionate about their town and everyone wants to ensure that the area is developed in a matter that both respects Bangor’s Victorian and Edwardian past and also looks to the future. It is therefore not surprising that the responses to the public consultation reflected a very wide range of views on the plans."

The report sets out the issues which were raised during the consultation exercise and the Department’s response to those issues. The issues which were raised by the public include:

• the design of the development;
• parking;
• traffic;
• multi use arts centre;
• leisure facilities;
• future of the YMCA;
• impact on Bangor’s heritage;
• impact on the Methodist Church.

The Minister continued: "I am acutely aware of the local community’s frustration that it has taken so long to develop the site. I want to bring an end to the uncertainty and the effect which this has on people living and working in or close to the Queen’s Parade area. I will therefore carefully consider the results of the consultation exercise and make a decision within a matter of weeks on whether to support this proposal and appoint Karl Greenfarm Properties Limited as the Department’s preferred developer."

Notes to editors:

1. The Marine Gardens public consultation exercise was carried out from 10 June 2009 to 24 July 2009.

2. The proposed scheme involves combining the development site with other properties extending to approximately 1.85 hectares adjacent to it, including the Queen's Parade car park along the water front. The proposed scheme may include:

• up to 380,000 square foot of retail floor space with mix of retail units likely to meet the requirements of high quality retailers;
• up to 39,000 square foot restaurant development;
• up to 110,000 square foot of office accommodation;
• approximately 212 residential units;
• an hotel with up to 150 beds of at least 3-star standard;
• a 16,500 square foot community facility; and
• a combination of underground and multi-storey parking for up to 750 cars.

3. A copy of the Marine Gardens Consultation Report (Word 366KB) may be downloaded from the DSD Website.

4. Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078 or mob 07970 976894. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number

07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.