£65m plan to re-establish two miles of NI coast as prime attraction

Bangor is aiming to take a significant step forward on its regeneration journey over the next two months as Ards and North Down Borough Council prepares to submit a business case for the Bangor Waterfront Development.
By Philip Bradfield
Published 15th Sep 2020, 21:58 BST
Updated 15th Sep 2020, 22:08 BST
An image from the Bangor Waterfront Development plans.An image from the Bangor Waterfront Development plans.
An image from the Bangor Waterfront Development plans.

The proposal is to redevelop a two-mile stretch of the seafront, from Skippingstone beach to Ballyholme beach, with the aim of re-establishing Bangor as a prime visitor attraction in Northern Ireland.

The bid will be submitted in October to the Belfast Region City Deal (BRCD), which offers a bespoke package of funding from Westminster to stimulate economic growth across the six council areas of the Belfast region.

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The outcome will be confirmed by the end of 2020 and if successful the council will contribute a further £20m, and the private sector a further £4m to the project.

The plan is to improve outdoor facilities along the 2.2 mile stretch, to open up Bangor Marina, enhance the Pickie Family Fun Park and redevelop Kingsland/Ballyholme Yacht Club and Water Sports Centre.

The plan would also see independent charity, Open House, regenerate Bangor Court House as a permanent home for the Open House Festival and a much-needed multi-purpose venue serving the town.

Mayor of Ards and North Down, Trevor Cummings, said: “Bangor has great potential. We need to build on its strengths, particularly its leisure and cultural assets, high-quality environment and accessibility, to deliver sustainable regeneration.”

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For more details see: www.ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk/BangorWaterfront

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Related topics:Belfast Region City DealNorthern Ireland