Ards and North Down Council has approved an upgrade to the Island View playpark in Greyabbey, raising it from tier three to tier one status.

Councillor Joe Boyle, representing the Ards peninsula and Portaferry, welcomed the decision as positive for the village. The approval follows a recommendation from an independent review of play facilities in the borough.

The council operates a 10-year play strategy under which an independent review each year assesses play areas and recommends upgrades. Councillor Boyle supports the system for ensuring fairness and transparency across locations.

He stated that the process removes decision-making and lobbying from individual councillors, as all have agreed to follow the independent assessments. It bases outcomes on need rather than votes or direct requests to officers.

Councillor Boyle noted that the structure involves only council elected members and officers. He described it as a defensible approach that honours prior agreements over favouring specific projects.

He added that past practices of unfair decisions in some councils have ended, with protections making the system harder to misuse. The councillor called for the council to maintain respect for independent and transparent processes in delivering services.