Queen's Parade: Frustration in Bangor as start date for £50m seafront revamp delayed again

An artist's impression of the new-development at Queen's Parade, Bangor
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited


Hopes of construction finally beginning on Bangor's long-awaited £50 million seafront revamp have been dashed once again, with legal processes delaying work on-site.

It was announced before Christmas that work on the Queens Parade and Marine Gardens development in the Co Down city centre was intended to commence in January according to developer Bangor Marine, which is working alongside Ards and North Down Borough Council and the Department for Communities.

In a new statement, Bangor Marine has confirmed that outstanding legal agreements have proven more complex than anticipated and must be finalised before construction can commence, meaning a further delay is now unavoidable.

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Aran Blackbourne of Bangor Marine, a partnership between Karl and Farrans, said: “Bangor Marine, Ards and North Down Borough Council and the Department for Communities continue to work hard to progress a number of outstanding legal agreements in relation to the development of Marine Gardens.

“We had been hopeful of a start on site in January. Unfortunately these processes have taken longer than anticipated due to their complexity and we cannot begin work on site until all agreements are completed and in place.

“We understand that each delay is frustrating to the city. We remain committed to the scheme and to providing regular updates on the progress of Marine Gardens. We will issue another statement at the end of January to keep the local community informed of the project status at that point.”

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Alliance Party MLA for North Down, Connie Egan has submitted two priority questions to the Communities Minister on the Marine Gardens project at Queen’s Parade.

She said: "Like most people in Bangor, I was incredibly frustrated and disappointed with the announcement from Bangor Marine of yet another delay in starting work on the seafront. This work will be a game changer in Bangor’s redevelopment and regeneration and has been eagerly awaited for decades now.

"We’ve been waiting for this work to start for far too long, and people across Bangor deserve clarity on what happens next and when."

Marine Gardens, part of the Queen’s Parade regeneration project, covers 5.25 acres and will include a new play park, two pavilions, kiosks with food and beverage offerings, an events space, and associated landscaping. To be constructed over the course of a year, Marine Gardens aims to provide an inviting new energy and vibrancy to the city’s waterfront destination from 2026 and beyond.

Marine Gardens, which forms part of the Queen’s Parade regeneration project, secured UK ‘Local Government Funding’ (previously known as Levelling Up Funding) with Bangor Marine providing private funding of £2m for this public realm element. When the entire project is completed, the Queen’s Parade development will include new homes, a hotel, offices, a market plaza, local retail, cafes and restaurants.

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