Press Statement from Alex Easton MP for North Down
“I have been alerted to some very late additions to the plans for the new Queen’s Parade which I believe will utterly spoil the whole direction of the project.
These plans mean a complete change to the western edge of the new Marine Gardens – it will mean cutting down more trees, removing grass areas that are loved by local households, and turning this little paradise into a new car park.
Given that plans had been accepted two years ago by the local community as a solution, finally, to the blight of the car park in in the spot that should be the jewel of our city’s public space, it’s a completely backward step to be adding a new car park, with parking charges, into the plans at the 11th hour.
“Constituents have written to me to draw my attention to plans that the developer will be getting a lease for 125 years to make profits out of this new car park, which, if true is very shocking. I have written to the council to get the full details on this arrangement, asking if it represents value for money for constituents.
“This arrangement is the worst of both worlds. 90 spaces will not solve the parking issues for busy times, for big events in the new marine gardens, and destroying a strip of green space and trees is a very destructive way to go forward, when there are 600 parking spaces sitting in the flagship centre unused. A better solution would be a much more joined up approach involving the Flagship and listening to the local people and visitors who value this green space, which is valued as it sits at the very start of the walk along past Pickie to the coastal path.”
Alex Easton MP
Member of Parliament for North Down
