Plans to demolish a much-loved park to make way for a car park could be subject to a legal probe, campaigners have said, after the move was approved by politicians this week.

Councillors in Bangor were split over axing seafront Marine Gardens, some pointing out the developers behind the move had given them just nine days to make a decision while warning any delay could risk a wider £60m overhaul of the city’s seafront falling through.

But the DUP and UUP cited that risk to the overall revamp as reason to go ahead with the idea, while an Alliance suggestion of holding off for a month or two to check other options was rejected after a protracted debate that stretched until well after 10pm on Wednesday night.

Now members of Save Marine Gardens, which protested outside city hall before the vote, say they’re seeking legal advice over whether procedures were properly followed.

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

Stated a spokeswoman: “The Alliance suggestion, to pause briefly and properly explore alternative parking options, was both reasonable and constructive. That amendment would have given time to identify parking solutions within the scope of the already approved plans.

“[At a public information session the day before the vote] the developers did say they had put forward three alternative parking site suggestions to council officers, but these had been rejected. We don’t know what these were or the grounds for rejection. Yet again, there is a lack of transparency with decisions taken behind closed doors.

“This situation raises questions about transparency, decision-making, and whether the best interests of the community are truly being prioritised. It’s too soon to determine residents’ next steps, but we will be seeking initial legal advice to assess whether proper procedures have been followed and to consider all available options.”

A spokesman for developers Bangor Marine maintained the conglomerate examined all other options for a car park in the area, and are “satisfied this is the only viable solution that does not delay the project and thereby jeopardise the overall redevelopment” of the Queen’s Parade area of the city.

"The council voted to approve the recommendation on Wednesday evening and it now proceeds through the statutory planning process,” said the spokesman.

“Bangor Marine is committed to working with all stakeholders in the city to deliver the Queen’s Parade redevelopment. That includes local residents, the council and the Department for Communities.

“We are determined to work in partnership to deliver a better Bangor for everyone and we will be meeting with residents in the days ahead.”

The £60m overhaul of Queen’s Parade is already decades late, plans coming and going since the end of the last century. Now finally under way, early construction on the scheme demolished a 200-space free car park.

But the developers want the plans reworked, adding a children’s play area. A pay-and-display facility is vital to it, the conglomerate says, and Marine Gardens the only possible location.

On Wednesday, Damian Mitchell from the developers told the council any delay approving the car park would mean they couldn’t place orders with suppliers, including an international firm that’s to create the play area. In a volatile economy that would mean prices shoot up, he stated, so the play park could wind up costing far more or possibly fall through altogether, risking the overall revamp.