Mallon refers Queens Parade Planning application back to Council for determination

Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has decided that her Department will not “call in” the Queens Parade development planning application for determination.

The Minister has now written to Ards and North Down Borough Council confirming this decision and has indicated that the ‘Holding’ Direction is no longer in place and the Council can continue to process the application accordingly.

Minister Mallon said:

“I appreciate the significant interest in this project across the Ards and North Down Council area and the frustrations with the time it has taken to consider this matter.

“I also recognise the legitimate concerns and issues raised in relation to flood risk which required careful consideration.

“After fully examining all matters involved I have concluded, in this instance, that this application does not raise issues of such importance that their impact is considered to extend to a sub-regional or regional level and the circumstances of this case are not considered exceptional such as to render use of my power to “call in” the application.

“This has been a long and complex process, however I do not wish to delay this more than necessary for the people in the Bangor area who have waited a long time for the regeneration of Bangor seafront.”

Notes to editors: 

1. The application, LA06/2020/0097/F, is for a mixed use development including offices, residential, retail leisure, hotel, car parking and public realm on lands mainly around Queen’s Parade, Bangor, as well as on Main Street, King Street, Southwell Road and the Marine Gardens car park and an area around the McKee Clock.
2. On 27 January 2021 the Department was subsequently notified by ANDBC, under the Planning (Notification of Applications) Direction 2017, of its intention to grant approval for a major planning application for a redevelopment scheme in Bangor where it had received a significant objection from a statutory consultee relating to potential flooding issues.
3. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk
4. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.
5. Follow the Department on Twitter @deptinfra and on Facebook @DepartmentforInfrastructure

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