A Stormont MLA has hit out at the lack of a timescale for a decision on a multi-million pound Co Down regeneration plan.
Green Party MLA for North Down Rachel Woods was speaking amid continuing delays to a £50m seafront development for Bangor.
Ms Woods raised the delay after asking Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon in an Assembly question for a timescale for a decision to be made by her Department on the Queen's Parade planning application.
In January 2021, Ards and North Down Borough Council’s Planning Committee gave their approval to the plans submitted by Bangor Marine Ltd for the site located at Queen’s Parade and Marine Gardens in the seaside town.
The plan will transform Bangor's seafront and residents have been waiting more than 20 years for this site to be developed.
Development of the area has been discussed since around 1997 while the long-delayed regeneration site has been earmarked since April 2012.
Flooding fears are central to the latest delay to multi-million-pound revival plans for the town centre.
The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has identified a potential flooding risk involving a lake in the Clandeboye estate, more than two miles away.
Despite the plan being approved by the council last year, DfI which has the power to 'call-in' or end the project, has been carrying out an assessment on the planning application, in relation to the scheme falling within the flood inundation zone of Clandeboye Lake.
Ms Mallon said: "Notification to my Department was required due to the council's resolution to grant approval for the application where it had received a significant objection from a statutory committee, in this instance a consultee from within my Department in relation to potential flood risk.
"The notification is currently being assessed very carefully and it is my intention to respond to the council as soon as possible with a decision as to whether or not the application should referred ('called in') to my Department for determination.
"Whilst I cannot provide a definite timeframe for when this will be completed, I can assure you that I am mindful of the importance of reaching a decision on this matter to avoid any unnecessary delays," she added.
In response, Ms Woods told Belfast Live that it's time for a decision as Bangor and North Down has waited long enough.
“The Queens Parade development is critical to Bangor’s regeneration. I share the widespread local concern that the Infrastructure Minister has not yet taken a decision on the application, and I am disappointed that she has failed to even provide a timescale for when a decision might be made,” she said.
“The development will bring massive and much needed investment to Bangor and North Down in general and it would be unforgivable if this opportunity was lost because of further delays by the Minister.
“I have consistently raised residents’ concerns about the delays with Minister Mallon, and will continue to do so. I call on her to ensure a decision is taken as a matter of urgency. Bangor has waited long enough.
“Executive Ministers have failed the people of Bangor by delaying the approval of the Queens Parade development. It’s time for better than this poor record of delay and inaction of the five-party Executive.”
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 project is expected to create approximately 100 jobs per annum during construction and a further 700 jobs once 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.
The residential element will involve 137 units comprising 113 apartments in three blocks, and 12 duplex apartments along King Street.
New public squares and courtyards will be created, including new pedestrian access points and the redevelopment of Marine Gardens car park.
During a council meeting last month, elected members from Bangor Central unanimously condemned the Rivers Agency and Minister Mallon's attitude towards the project.
