New parklets have been approved for a period of three years across Bangor and Newtownards.
At the recent meeting of Ards and North Down Council’s Planning Committee, elected representatives approved two parklets at High Street, Bangor, one parklet at Main Street, Bangor, and one at Regent Street, Newtownards. The applications were all by the council, and recommended for approval by council officers.
At the bottom of High Street Bangor, beside numbers 57 to 59, the space being taken over consists of two car parking spaces, about 60 metres away from the Flagship Centre. Public seating and planters will be set along an 11 metre by two metre space on the roadside.
Read more: Ards and North Down electric car charging plan to be rolled out
A council officer said: “It is on a scale that will not detract from the adjacent buildings and it is not considered to be a dominant feature in the street.” She added: “The impact on road safety has been fully considered in the officer report.
“There will be a loss of two car parking spaces. Given the temporary nature of the development and the proximity of the site to alternative parking provision, on balance it is considered the loss of two spaces is not of such significance to warrant refusal of the application.”
At the top of High Street, Bangor, alongside numbers 115 to 119, further road space consisting of two car parking spaces will be again taken for public seating and planters. The 11 metre by two metre space is beside a restaurant and takeaway.
Another parklet was agreed to the front of 78 to 80 Main Street, Bangor, on a 7.3 metre by 2.5 metre space of pavement, to be used for public seating and planters. The space is beside the Nationwide bank and a butchers shop.
The last parklet was agreed to the front of 31 to 33 Regent Street, Newtownards, on a 7.3 metre by 3.3 metre space of pavement, to be used for public seating and planters.
The Department for Infrastructure was consulted and did not believe the safety of car users or pedestrians would be compromised by the parklets. No objections were given by any of the statutory consultees or any businesses or members of the public.
Is this the way forward for our town centres? Are parklets a good way to soften the edges of harsh urban environments? Let us know in the comments below.
READ NEXT:
Ards and North Down Council commits to more bin collections for residents
Alliance and TUV clash over funding sports clubs with “political objectives”
New protected sea swimming sites identified around coast of North Down and Ards Peninsula
Further delays on Bangor regeneration makes local council look like "a joke", alderman says
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here. To sign up to our FREE newsletters, see here.
