Getting a developer to use existing car parks instead of demolishing a much-loved green space to make way for a new one was ruled out, officials say, in part because the area’s council couldn’t justify the loss of money from handing over one of nine pay-and-display facilities.

Civic officials in Bangor also worried that employing a 130-space free car park might have put a scheme to revamp two miles of the city’s waterfront under threat, so that idea was also discounted.

Ards and North Down Council published the information in the wake of a huge outcry over the fate of Marine Gardens on the Co Down city’s seafront, which faces the axe after plans for a £60m overhaul of the area changed.

Already in construction, one of the Queen’s Parade project’s first acts was to demolish a 200-space free car park – but developers Bangor Marine now say they need a pay and display facility with 81 spaces, and are to knock down Marine Gardens to build it.

placeholder image — Marine Gardens on Bangor seafront could be paved to make way for a car park, as part of a £60m revamp that's already scrapped a neighbouring 200-space facility. Photo: Save Marine Gardens

Alterations include an expanded children’s play area, with the developer insisting a new car park is vital to making it work.

A ‘Save Marine Gardens’ campaign kicked off hoping to protect the green space, protesting outside city hall while demanding the council call off the wrecking ball and garnering several thousand names on a petition against the demolition. Last month councillors voted to scrap it anyway, with Damian Mitchell from Bangor Marine telling them any delay could scupper the whole £60m project.

Angry residents had demanded to know why existing car parks weren’t considered, instead of axing the park. Officials have now said that a free 132-space facility about 10 minutes’ walk away was ruled out due to separate plans to revamp the seaside city’s coast, which they warned could be threatened by changing anything about the car park.

Set to take in a two-mile section of the shoreline on either side of Queen’s Parade, the £72m Bangor Waterfront scheme is funded by the Belfast City Region Deal. The 132-space car park is inside the Waterfront development zone, stated officials, and altering approved plans now risks losing the Region Deal funding.

Campaigners had suggested one of the city centre’s multiple existing pay-and-display facilities could be given to Bangor Marine, in particular pointing to a small 29-space one on Central Avenue that is rarely used, yet lies just a couple of minutes’ walk from the Queen’s Parade site.

Officials said the pay-and-display car parks generate income for the council, and it would have to get “best price or best rental” if it sold or leased them to a private sector firm. That wouldn’t be possible in this case, state officials, as Bangor Marine would need a “nominal” charge.

“It would be very difficult for the council to demonstrate why it should transfer a council facility for no income, and indeed a loss of income,” they said.

Officials added: “The new play park will be a substantial attraction bringing both residents and visitors into the city, and the developer estimates it will attract 200,000 visitors per year.

“Bangor Marine has outlined that the car park is essential for families, elderly visitors and those with accessibility needs to ensure they can access the new free, inclusive and accessibility-designed play park.”