Latest news with #BangorMarine
Belfast Telegraph
7 days ago
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
Highly anticipated £70m Bangor project set to finally begin this month after decades of delay
Queen's Parade has lain largely derelict for decades, despite plans for a major redevelopment scheme, and been described as an "eyesore". Talk of regenerating the deteriorating seafront, which was once the hub of the seaside city, has been going on for nearly 30 years, with the last delay caused by concerns over flooding. A seemingly endless series of problems had left both politicians and the public questioning if the work would ever happen. The project will include new homes, a hotel, offices, a market plaza, retail, cafes and restaurants. Making the announcement, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said: 'I am delighted to announce that work on the much-awaited Queen's Parade development scheme is set to commence later this month. 'I wish to put on record my thanks to all the officials in my department whose hard work and commitment have made it possible for this important project to begin. 'After years of expectation, this scheme will be transformational for Bangor. 'When combined with the substantial £72.8m investment in Bangor's Waterfront through the Belfast Region City Deal, this is the start of a bright future for the city. I look forward to seeing the positive impact these projects will have for years to come.' He thanked the local council for their support. 'Projects of this nature are extremely complex, and I would like to convey my appreciation to all of our partners including Ards and North Down Borough Council, in particular the Mayor, Councillor Alistair Cathcart, colleagues in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Bangor Marine and the people of Bangor for their tireless support. This is a fantastic achievement for everyone involved.' The Mayor of Ards and North Down Borough Council, Alistair Cathcart, said he is eager to see the work beginning. 'As Mayor and as a Bangorian, I am very pleased that we have now cleared the final legal complexities to enable work to start on Marine Gardens in June. This is an important and positive milestone to recognise, and I would add my thanks to all those involved in the negotiations for their hard work and dedication to the process,' he said. 'However, like many Bangor residents I will only be fully satisfied when there are 'diggers on site'. The Bangor Marine contractors need some time to mobilise now that all agreements are in place, but I will be pushing for that work to start as soon as possible. 'Bangor has been waiting for this for a long time and deserves both the investment and the regenerative potential that it will release for the city. I hope residents and business will be reassured by the Minister's update and engage positively with the scheme when work on site begins in the coming weeks.' Bangor Marine secured UK Government funding of £9.8m for the Marine Gardens public realm element of the Queen's Parade regeneration project, which will include a new play park, two pavilions, kiosks with food and beverage offerings, an events space, and associated landscaping. Bangor Marine aims to have construction completed on this part by July 2026. Aran Blackbourne of Bangor Marine Ltd said: 'We are delighted that all the legal documents are now agreed and we can now confidently move forward with the Queen's Parade redevelopment project with Oakland Holdings as our joint venture partner. 'We look forward to working with all parties to deliver this very exciting and important regeneration scheme for Bangor.' News Catch Up - Tuesday 3 June Alliance North Down MLAs also praised the announcement. Connie Egan said: 'This announcement from the Communities Minister is long-awaited news and is a positive step forward in boosting Bangor's potential to attract both economic and tourist opportunities.' 'We have witnessed continuous delays to this project, and Alliance, alongside many constituents, have continued to call for the prioritisation of this investment. 'Queen's Parade is one of Bangor's main streets overlooking the seafront. However, this area has been left to deteriorate for years and has become a huge eyesore, overshadowing the beautiful views of our shoreline. 'This is only the beginning of a lengthy process, and after years of false promises, the people of Bangor won't believe it until they see it. 'We now need to see the work started imminently so the redevelopment of Queen's Parade can begin as soon as possible.' Environment Minister Andrew Muir added: 'I'm pleased to hear that work on Queen's Parade is finally set to begin. However, this has come at the cost of continued disappointment among constituents who have witnessed numerous false starts on the project for decades. 'I am proud to have been born and bred in Bangor, but for years the city hasn't been able to reach its potential due to the continued delays to this project. 'There is a long road ahead to deliver a rejuvenated Queen's Parade, and in Alliance, we will continue to work hard to get the long-awaited redevelopment delivered. "This investment will not only enhance our seafront area but also positively impact tourism in Bangor and our local economy.'
Belfast Telegraph
03-06-2025
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
Flagship £70m Bangor project set to finally begin this month after decades of delay
Queen's Parade has lain largely derelict for decades, despite plans for a major redevelopment scheme, and been described as an "eyesore". Talk of regenerating the deteriorating seafront, which was once the hub of the seaside city, has been going on for nearly 30 years, with the last delay caused by concerns over flooding. A seemingly endless series of problems had left both politicians and the public questioning if the work would ever happen. The project will include new homes, a hotel, offices, a market plaza, retail, cafes and restaurants. Making the announcement, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said: 'I am delighted to announce that work on the much-awaited Queen's Parade development scheme is set to commence later this month. 'I wish to put on record my thanks to all the officials in my department whose hard work and commitment have made it possible for this important project to begin. 'After years of expectation, this scheme will be transformational for Bangor. 'When combined with the substantial £72.8m investment in Bangor's Waterfront through the Belfast Region City Deal, this is the start of a bright future for the city. I look forward to seeing the positive impact these projects will have for years to come.' He thanked the local council for their support. 'Projects of this nature are extremely complex, and I would like to convey my appreciation to all of our partners including Ards and North Down Borough Council, in particular the Mayor, Councillor Alistair Cathcart, colleagues in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Bangor Marine and the people of Bangor for their tireless support. This is a fantastic achievement for everyone involved.' The Mayor of Ards and North Down Borough Council, Alistair Cathcart, said he is eager to see the work beginning. 'As Mayor and as a Bangorian, I am very pleased that we have now cleared the final legal complexities to enable work to start on Marine Gardens in June. This is an important and positive milestone to recognise, and I would add my thanks to all those involved in the negotiations for their hard work and dedication to the process,' he said. 'However, like many Bangor residents I will only be fully satisfied when there are 'diggers on site'. The Bangor Marine contractors need some time to mobilise now that all agreements are in place, but I will be pushing for that work to start as soon as possible. 'Bangor has been waiting for this for a long time and deserves both the investment and the regenerative potential that it will release for the city. I hope residents and business will be reassured by the Minister's update and engage positively with the scheme when work on site begins in the coming weeks.' Bangor Marine secured UK Government funding of £9.8m for the Marine Gardens public realm element of the Queen's Parade regeneration project, which will include a new play park, two pavilions, kiosks with food and beverage offerings, an events space, and associated landscaping. Bangor Marine aims to have construction completed on this part by July 2026. Aran Blackbourne of Bangor Marine Ltd said: 'We are delighted that all the legal documents are now agreed and we can now confidently move forward with the Queen's Parade redevelopment project with Oakland Holdings as our joint venture partner. 'We look forward to working with all parties to deliver this very exciting and important regeneration scheme for Bangor.' News Catch Up - Tuesday 3 June Alliance North Down MLAs also praised the announcement. Connie Egan said: 'This announcement from the Communities Minister is long-awaited news and is a positive step forward in boosting Bangor's potential to attract both economic and tourist opportunities.' 'We have witnessed continuous delays to this project, and Alliance, alongside many constituents, have continued to call for the prioritisation of this investment. 'Queen's Parade is one of Bangor's main streets overlooking the seafront. However, this area has been left to deteriorate for years and has become a huge eyesore, overshadowing the beautiful views of our shoreline. 'This is only the beginning of a lengthy process, and after years of false promises, the people of Bangor won't believe it until they see it. 'We now need to see the work started imminently so the redevelopment of Queen's Parade can begin as soon as possible.' Environment Minister Andrew Muir added: 'I'm pleased to hear that work on Queen's Parade is finally set to begin. However, this has come at the cost of continued disappointment among constituents who have witnessed numerous false starts on the project for decades. 'I am proud to have been born and bred in Bangor, but for years the city hasn't been able to reach its potential due to the continued delays to this project. 'There is a long road ahead to deliver a rejuvenated Queen's Parade, and in Alliance, we will continue to work hard to get the long-awaited redevelopment delivered. "This investment will not only enhance our seafront area but also positively impact tourism in Bangor and our local economy.'
BBC News
03-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Bangor: Work to begin on long-delayed Queen's Parade project
After many false starts, work is finally set to start on the Queen's Parade development project in Bangor later this completed, it will include new homes, a hotel, offices, a market plaza, retail, cafes and seafront site in County Down has been derelict for almost 30 years and has faced years of planning on Tuesday, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said that "after years of expectation", the project would be "transformational for Bangor". The site was bought by the Department for Communities (DfC) back in 2013 and in 2019, Bangor Marine was selected as the developer for the that time, the developer was a consortium made up of Karl Group and Farrans, who pulled out before Christmas and have since been replaced by Oakland investment is expected to cost £145m, with around half of that funding (£73m) coming from the Belfast City developer is investing £50m, £10m has come from the UK government's Levelling Up Fund and almost £10m has been invested by the department so far. 'A bright future' Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said he was "absolutely delighted" that work could now said he could understand that some residents might be "sceptical", given previous delays."We're at the end of this process but we're starting work now which is the important bit. This will be completed in its entirety over the next three to four years and I can't wait for that work to start." Ards and North Down Mayor Alistair Cathcart described the start of work as "an important and positive milestone" but said he would "only be fully satisfied when there are "diggers on site". Aran Blackbourne of Bangor Marine said the developer looked forward "to working with all parties to deliver this very exciting and important regeneration scheme". Analysis John Campbell, BBC News NI business and economics editorBangor is the largest settlement in NI's most prosperous area and has fast transport links to in theory transforming a stretch of its waterfront should have been a straightforward and commercially attractive practice there has been almost 30 years of failure and property and banking crisis of the late 2000s cast a long shadow over the project, alongside the need for redesigns and the usual planning there is a promise that work will finally begin within weeks, though Bangor citizens will take some convincing that it has been worth the wait. What does the Queen's Parade project involve? Construction on the first phase of the project, the public realm scheme, is hoped to start by the end of this month and run for 13 will include a new play park, two pavilions, kiosks with food and beverage offerings, an events space, and associated landscaping. The second phase will be largely residential apartments and also retail. It is due to begin in October.A hotel and office space will be included in the third phase. The fourth phase of more apartments and a cinema is expected to start in 2027, with completion due summer 2028. Timeline January 1999: Outline planning permission for a redevelopment scheme in the Queen's Parade area is first the coming years, the project will go through various redesigns, be held up by land acquisition issues and endure the property 2012: The then Department for Social Development (DSD) agrees to buy the development site from developer Karl Greenfarm Properties.2013: Approval to take forward the scheme is granted to the DSD, and work begins to acquire all the required properties within the site boundary. July 2015: Planning approval for the development is awarded to the 2019: Bangor Marine, a joint venture partnership between Karl Group and Farrans, signs a development agreement with the DfC and council to deliver the 2020: The developers submit a planning application for the 2021: The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) issues a holding direction on the proposal over concerns about potential flooding at the site linked to a reservoir in 2022: The then Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon confirms the DfI will not review the application, returning it to the council for further action, allowing the project to move 2022: Full planning permission is granted. January 2023: The project gets a £9.8m boost from the UK government's Levelling Up 2024: Pre-construction clearance work begins, in preparation for what is billed as construction work beginning later that 2024: It is announced that work is now expected to begin in January 2025: Bangor Marine's Aran Blackbourne says that "outstanding legal issues" mean the expected start date for construction work is 2025: Bangor Marine tells BBC News NI that legal documentation is still being finalised. Later in the month, the council confirms that Belfast-based Oakland Holdings will replace Farrans in the consortium. It says the final legal documents can now be signed to enable work to begin on 2025: The DfC announces that work will begin on the project.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Delays to seafront project 'holding back city's potential'
Delays to a multi-million pound seafront redevelopment project in Bangor are holding back the potential of the city, local people have said. Plans to overhaul the Queen's Parade area of the city in County Down have been discussed for decades, but in 2019 the initiative gained renewed momentum when Bangor Marine was appointed by the Department for Communities (DfC) and Ards and North Down District Council to lead the project. Six years on, construction work has still not begun on the first phase of the project and the area remains largely derelict. BBC News NI understands construction firm Farrans is now exploring stepping away from the project altogether. As first reported in the County Down Spectator, a new firm is reportedly being lined up to take over and join the major project. Ivan Carruthers, who is from Bangor, said the Queen's Parade area was "pretty desperate". He said redeveloping Queen's Parade was being discussed when he moved to the city about 25 years ago and would be transformational. "People we know who have been in Bangor all their lives say this has been going on for 40 years," he said. "Last year we were told the money was there, it was all ready to go, but every month it's put back and put back and you get quite cynical about it." "Bangor should be to Belfast what Brighton is to London. "You've fabulous walks from here round to Belfast and Donaghadee and two lovely parks. "The place has got huge potential but it's just falling apart." The development site focuses on lands at Queen's Parade and the area currently used as Marine Gardens' car park. The first phase of the development envisions a 5.25-acre public space featuring a play park, pavilions, food kiosks, and an events area. The full project would include a new hotel, a mix of new homes, office spaces, retail and hospitality units and a cinema. Steve Geddis, who is from Millisle but often comes to Bangor, said Queen's Parade was "an absolute sight". "It's a disgrace. It's been like this for 20 years or more and the council just won't do anything about it," he said. He said the redevelopment "would bring a lot more people in" and give Bangor a boost. Margaret Duffy and Rita Quinn, who often visit Bangor from Belfast to walk, have happy memories of the city from when they were children, but Ms Duffy said the area at Queen's Parade was "a total eyesore". "There's so much potential," she said. "That's what annoys me. "People would come from everywhere - there's trains and buses." Evie Reynolds, who owns cafe Ginger & Berry in High Street, said there was "so much potential" in Bangor. "It's a great place and there's a beautiful view [at the redevelopment site] and it could be really lovely," she said. "I think it's going to be really good once we get there." Ginger & Berry is already in a busy area of Bangor, but Ms Reynolds said the redevelopment would bring more people, with businesses benefitting from the increased footfall and "a bit more buzz". "Business owners are excited because we know what it's going to do for the town," she said. "We're looking forward to it." In May 2019, Bangor Marine, a joint venture partnership between Karl Group and Farrans, signed a development agreement with the DfC and council to deliver the scheme. Developers submitted a planning application for the £50m development in January 2020, but in 2021 the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) issued a holding direction on the proposal over concerns about potential flooding at the site linked to a reservoir in Clandeboye. In March 2022, the then Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon confirmed the DfI would not review the application, returning it to the council for further action, allowing the project to move forward. Full planning permission was then granted in September 2022. The project got a £9.8m boost from the UK government's Levelling Up Fund in January 2023 and in February 2024, pre-construction clearance work began in preparation for what was billed as construction work beginning later that summer. But in November, it was announced that work was now expected to commence in January 2025. Despite hopes to begin building work in January, Bangor Marine's Aran Blackbourne said in February that "outstanding legal issues" meant the expected start date for construction work was mid-April. As of May 2025, that deadline has also passed, with Bangor Marine telling BBC News NI legal documentation is still being finalised before any ground work can begin. In a statement to BBC News NI, Bangor Marine said that it, the council and the DfC remained fully committed to the project and were working hard to start work on the "very complex project". "We are at the final stages of finalising the legal documents needed to allow works to commence, and we expect these documents to be completed soon," a spokesperson said. The DfC said major proposals like Queen's Parade were very complex, challenging and took time. It said that before the department's involvement, the various properties that were now part of the development footprint were in multiple ownership "with no prospects of the area ever being developed". A spokesperson added that "outstanding legal matters" had almost been sorted after "several months of work". The department said it continued to work closely with the developer and council and hoped to provide an update on timelines soon. Crown Estates declined to comment. North Down Alliance assembly member Connie Egan said Queen's Parade was in a terrible state, and said the delays were unacceptable. "Local residents and businesses want action," she said . Egan said she had asked Communities Minister Gordon Lyons a number of questions to determine when work will begin. Ulster Unionist assembly member Alan Chambers also expressed frustration over the delays. Chambers criticised the DfC for taking a "back seat" and called for urgent ministerial intervention. "The blight of an empty building site seafront has gone on far too long," he said. "My message to the minister is, 'make this happen'. "Words are fine… but real action is needed now." New plans to develop Bangor seafront Anger at Bangor town plan setback Department buys Bangor site
BBC News
10-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Bangor: Delays to Queen's Parade project 'holding back city's potential'
Delays to a multi-million pound seafront redevelopment project in Bangor are holding back the potential of the city, local people have to overhaul the Queen's Parade area of the city in County Down have been discussed for decades, but in 2019 the initiative gained renewed momentum when Bangor Marine was appointed by the Department for Communities (DfC) and Ards and North Down District Council to lead the years on, construction work has still not begun on the first phase of the project and the area remains largely News NI understands construction firm Farrans is now exploring stepping away from the project altogether. 'You get quite cynical' As first reported in the County Down Spectator, a new firm is reportedly being lined up to take over and join the major project. Ivan Carruthers, who is from Bangor, said the Queen's Parade area was "pretty desperate". He said redeveloping Queen's Parade was being discussed when he moved to the city about 25 years ago and would be transformational."People we know who have been in Bangor all their lives say this has been going on for 40 years," he said."Last year we were told the money was there, it was all ready to go, but every month it's put back and put back and you get quite cynical about it." "Bangor should be to Belfast what Brighton is to London."You've fabulous walks from here round to Belfast and Donaghadee and two lovely parks. "The place has got huge potential but it's just falling apart." The development site focuses on lands at Queen's Parade and the area currently used as Marine Gardens' car first phase of the development envisions a 5.25-acre public space featuring a play park, pavilions, food kiosks, and an events full project would include a new hotel, a mix of new homes, office spaces, retail and hospitality units and a cinema. Steve Geddis, who is from Millisle but often comes to Bangor, said Queen's Parade was "an absolute sight"."It's a disgrace. It's been like this for 20 years or more and the council just won't do anything about it," he said the redevelopment "would bring a lot more people in" and give Bangor a boost. Margaret Duffy and Rita Quinn, who often visit Bangor from Belfast to walk, have happy memories of the city from when they were children, but Ms Duffy said the area at Queen's Parade was "a total eyesore"."There's so much potential," she said."That's what annoys me."People would come from everywhere - there's trains and buses." Evie Reynolds, who owns cafe Ginger & Berry in High Street, said there was "so much potential" in Bangor."It's a great place and there's a beautiful view [at the redevelopment site] and it could be really lovely," she said. "I think it's going to be really good once we get there."Ginger & Berry is already in a busy area of Bangor, but Ms Reynolds said the redevelopment would bring more people, with businesses benefitting from the increased footfall and "a bit more buzz"."Business owners are excited because we know what it's going to do for the town," she said."We're looking forward to it." What progress has been made with the Queen's Parade redevelopment? In May 2019, Bangor Marine, a joint venture partnership between Karl Group and Farrans, signed a development agreement with the DfC and council to deliver the scheme. Developers submitted a planning application for the £50m development in January 2020, but in 2021 the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) issued a holding direction on the proposal over concerns about potential flooding at the site linked to a reservoir in Clandeboye. In March 2022, the then Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon confirmed the DfI would not review the application, returning it to the council for further action, allowing the project to move planning permission was then granted in September 2022. The project got a £9.8m boost from the UK government's Levelling Up Fund in January 2023 and in February 2024, pre-construction clearance work began in preparation for what was billed as construction work beginning later that in November, it was announced that work was now expected to commence in January hopes to begin building work in January, Bangor Marine's Aran Blackbourne said in February that "outstanding legal issues" meant the expected start date for construction work was mid-April. 'Very complex project' As of May 2025, that deadline has also passed, with Bangor Marine telling BBC News NI legal documentation is still being finalised before any ground work can a statement to BBC News NI, Bangor Marine said that it, the council and the DfC remained fully committed to the project and were working hard to start work on the "very complex project"."We are at the final stages of finalising the legal documents needed to allow works to commence, and we expect these documents to be completed soon," a spokesperson said. The DfC said major proposals like Queen's Parade were very complex, challenging and took said that before the department's involvement, the various properties that were now part of the development footprint were in multiple ownership "with no prospects of the area ever being developed".A spokesperson added that "outstanding legal matters" had almost been sorted after "several months of work".The department said it continued to work closely with the developer and council and hoped to provide an update on timelines Estates declined to comment. 'Unacceptable delays' North Down Alliance assembly member Connie Egan said Queen's Parade was in a terrible state, and said the delays were unacceptable. "Local residents and businesses want action," she said .Egan said she had asked Communities Minister Gordon Lyons a number of questions to determine when work will Unionist assembly member Alan Chambers also expressed frustration over the criticised the DfC for taking a "back seat" and called for urgent ministerial intervention."The blight of an empty building site seafront has gone on far too long," he said. "My message to the minister is, 'make this happen'."Words are fine… but real action is needed now."
