Queen's Parade Bangor Set For £50m Regeneration

A developer 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.

He commented: "With the appointment of Bangor Marine- a consortium made up of a number of leading companies including the Karl Group and Farrans- we are taking a very significant and exciting step forward.

"The redevelopment plan represents an investment of £50M in a mixed-use scheme that will deliver commercial and retail premises, a range of housing, a hotel and a family entertainment complex. As such it offers features and opportunities for those who live in, work in and visit our area; and will no doubt attract further investment into the town.

"Public interest in the plan is high and moving forward there will be a 12-week period of community engagement prior to any formal planning submission being made. This will give the public an opportunity to comment on what is being proposed.

"We look forward to working with Bangor Marine, alongside colleagues from the Department for Communities, to progress the plan and help make Bangor a vibrant, attractive and cohesive place for everyone to enjoy."

Aran Blackbourne, Managing Director of the Karl Group said: "The Bangor Marine team are delighted to have signed the Development Agreement to deliver this prestigious and life changing development for the people of Bangor and beyond. This Joint Venture, between Farrans and Karl, has worked hard with the design team, DfC and the Council to bring the project to this stage, and we are very excited that we can now up the momentum and engage with the public and all stakeholders to help make Bangor reach its full potential.

"Bangor Marine has been given the unique opportunity to create Northern Ireland's premier public waterfront space at Queen's Parade. Bangor is ideally located to be the coastal day out of choice for the growing capital city of Belfast."