Scrap much-loved Bangor park to make way for car park, say officials: Marine Gardens facing axe despite huge protest as crunch vote looms
A much-loved Bangor park should be demolished to make way for a car park, the seaside city’s officials have said ahead of a crunch vote next week.
The threat to Marine Gardens saw more than 100 people protest outside Bangor City Hall this week, as developers behind the move met with politicians behind closed doors.
Information subsequently released from that meeting included the developer warning that if there’s any delay in building the car park, an already in-construction £60m revamp of the city’s seafront would be at risk of being scuttled.
Local councillors are due to vote on the matter next Wednesday night, but the News Letter can confirm their officials have recommended demolishing Marine Gardens to make way for a pay-and-display facility.
In documents seen by this newspaper, officials weigh up information provided at the behind-closed-doors meeting and recommend politicians agree to the developer’s request to knock down the park, subject to planning permission.
The developer’s £60m seafront revamp has already demolished a 200-space free car park. The firm now wants to change its plans to add a large play area for children, and has stated a car park less than half the size of the one that was scrapped is vital to make that work. Nearby Marine Gardens, the company says, is the only possible location.
Council officials say the reworked version of the plans would be built by March next year, and argue the new facilities “will greatly enhance the offering in Bangor and the wider area”.
The final decision lies with politicians who could break with their own officials, though that’s a rarity on major construction schemes.
A protest this week saw more than 100 local residents from campaign group Save Marine Gardens arrive at Bangor City Hall, demanding councillors call off the wrecking ball and objecting to the secrecy surrounding the behind-closed-doors meeting.
Feeling their voices had been ignored, they argued a new car park isn’t warranted and opposed the idea of knocking down green space to make way for one.
As Kathy Smith from the group told the News Letter: “There are car parks a few minutes’ walk from this site that almost always have spaces, this isn’t needed.”