'We're being kept in the dark': City Hall protest outside politicians and developer's behind-closed-door talks on demolishing park for car parking
Around 100 people protested outside a behind-closed-doors meeting between politicians and property developers this evening, objecting to a scheme that would demolish a much-loved park to make way for a car park.
Speaking outside Bangor City Hall as councillors arrived for the meeting, members of the Save Marine Gardens campaign group said they feel residents of the Co Down seaside city have been kept in the dark about the plans.
Arguing the developers are effectively being given a chance to lobby the council in private, protesters demanded: “Why the secrecy? Why the refusal to discuss this with the public?”
Said Kathy Smith from the campaign: “What they are doing is a backward step.
“We want to be healthy and the children in our families to be healthy; we love Bangor and we want it to be clean, green and healthy, and we want it to be bustling with activity.
“If there are any councillors listening – you are our representatives, you are our voice in this meeting that we can't attend. We would rather be doing something else this evening, but we have prioritised being here because we care.”
The scheme is part of an already in-construction £60m revamp of Bangor's seafront, which has already scrapped a 200-space free of charge car park in the area.
Developers say they now need a new 90-space car park to serve a children's play area they plan to build, which has been expanded from what was initially approved as part of the revamp.
Ards and North Down Council has previously stated the developers would need to get formal planning permission to alter their designs.
More to follow.