By Julie Waters
THE ‘character, openness, and meaning’ of Bangor Castle would be undermined if it was turned into a hotel, according to North Down MP, Alex Easton.
In his strongest criticism so far, of the plan by Ards and North Down Council to move its headquarters into a new purpose built complex in the city centre and transform the Castle into a 43-bed hotel, Mr Easton said the hotel plan would deprive the community of an important civic space.
The large hotel and event space proposal is the council’s favoured option for the future of the Castle once the local authority moves into a new office complex within the Queen’s Parade redevelopment. The adjoining North Down Museum would also move to a new location, also likely to be in the city centre.
Consultants employed by the council to draw up options for the Castle, believe the hotel proposal could produce significant economic benefits for the borough and create up to 70 jobs.
The council has pledged it would continue to own the listed building and would work with developers to create the hotel. The local authority has also given assurances that the grounds surrounding the castle would not be closed to the public once a hotel is built.
However, Mr Easton has this week said he ‘wants to make it absolutely clear’ that he does not support proposals to turn the Castle into a hotel.
“This is not simply a city hall, it is a landmark of great civic and historical importance, and it also serves as a memorial to the men and women who served in the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the Ulster Defence Regiment, reflected in the stained-glass window within the building,” said the MP.
Mr Easton is also dismissive of the council’s assurance that the public would continue to have access to the grounds of the Castle.
“To lose public access to such a place would be deeply regrettable. Once it becomes a hotel, local people would inevitably be shut out of what has always been a shared space. I cannot imagine hotel guests being happy with residents continuing to walk their dogs through the castle grounds, which have always been enjoyed by the community.
“The character, openness, and meaning of the site would all be undermined,” he added.
Mr Easton said the Castle belongs to the people and it should remain accessible to the people. “Handing it over to private development would not only deprive the community of an important civic space but would also diminish the recognition of those who served and sacrificed, as honoured within its walls,” he said.
“It would be a real shame if future generations were denied the opportunity to experience Bangor Town Hall as both a public building and a place of remembrance. I will continue to voice my opposition to any plans that would see it turned into a hotel.”
