Ards and North Down Council is discussing with the Crown Estate a proposal to replace a green space at Marine Gardens in Bangor with a paid car park. The land belongs to the Crown Estate, which owns parts of the North Down foreshore.

Bangor Marine, developer of the Queen's Parade regeneration, seeks approval for the car park as part of the project. Residents learned of the plans in February. The proposal includes a 125-year lease to Bangor Marine, allowing the firm to collect parking fees.

Council officials have contacted the Crown Estate about the site, despite not yet receiving formal plans from Bangor Marine. The Crown Estate stated it recognizes the site's importance to the community and expects nature protection to factor into local plans. No planning application has been submitted.

Bangor Marine plans to present details to councillors at a closed workshop on Monday. The firm announced last week it would reduce the car park size and keep some mature trees.

The car park would sit next to a £1m play park within the £14m Marine Gardens redevelopment, the first phase of Queen's Parade. Work began in September last year and is due to complete in one year. Features include food and beverage pavilions and a £1.3m sculpture series by Colin Davidson titled Eclipse.

Further phases of Queen's Parade, covering offices, retail, homes, events space, public areas, cafes and restaurants, remain under review. The council views the site as ideal for new civic offices to centralize 400 employees.