Residents in Bangor are being urged to have their say on a long awaited multi-million pound regeneration plan, approved by the local council but held up by Stormont for 14 months.
A call to action rally will take place in the Co Down town this Saturday, March 12 over continuing obstruction to the £50 million pound investment plan for the Queen's Parade area.
The plan will transform Bangor's seafront but residents have been waiting more than 20 years for this site to be developed.
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In January 2021, Ards and North Down 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.
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 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.
The lake is over two miles away, and land between the lake and the seafront has continued to see planning applications approved without intervention.
Independent Bangor Central Alderman Wesley Irvine told Belfast Live : "This will be an opportunity to update the public on the planning application process; sign a letter to the DfI Minister showing support for the regeneration of the site and sign a petition urging her act now.
"We want to put as much pressure on Minister Mallon as possible to act now and ensure there are no more delays.
"This development is so crucial to the whole regeneration of Bangor town centre and if it's delayed indefinitely or has to go back to the drawing board, it could be potentially catastrophic to the whole development. As a consequence, Bangor town centre itself will continue to suffer."
The proposed scheme involves a new hotel and cinema, residential units, new commercial/retail/restaurant space, new external events spaces, cafes, a new play zone, refurbishment of existing commercial properties, a basement car park, and new marketplace and courtyard squares. There are new seafront lawns planned, a children’s play area, and a new water feature.
Saturday's rally will take place at the Project 24 site at Queen's Parade at 1pm.
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