Ards and North Down Borough Council selected Queen's Hall in Holywood as the preferred site for a screen industries innovation hub during a confidential session in January. The hall, located beside the town's leisure complex, will be removed from public use to accommodate the workspace for film, television production and digital technologies.

Green Party councillor Lauren Kendall criticised the decision for lacking transparent community consent. She stated the move sacrifices a key community asset despite past public support for its restoration as a venue for events and cultural activities. Kendall noted the building's disrepair has increased repair costs, making it a target for development.

Alliance councillors Martin McRandal and Gillian McCollum proposed a motion acknowledging the hub's impact on community space. The motion requests council officers to assess community space needs in Holywood and report to the relevant committee.

Kendall welcomed the assessment but questioned its timing after the site selection. She argued previous assurances from representatives supported restoration and that the hall's cultural value has not been weighed against economic priorities.

Kendall called for public debate on the hall's future, balancing community needs with development plans.