Working alongside Ards and North Down Borough Council and AECOM, we created a visionary masterplan for Bangor that has since unlocked over £62 million in City Deal funding.
The ambition was clear: to re-establish Bangor as a destination of choice – a vibrant place to live, work, and visit. At the heart of the vision is a reconnection between the town and its dramatic coastal setting, celebrating its maritime identity while embracing contemporary shifts in how people use towns and public spaces.
The plan responds to wider social and cultural trends: the renewed appreciation of coastlines closer to home, driven by sustainability and environmental awareness; the rise of wellbeing as a lifestyle priority; and the rebalancing of town centres away from retail dominance towards leisure, social, and cultural activities.
This understanding was rooted in deep community engagement. More than 2,000 residents, visitors, businesses, and stakeholders contributed through surveys and workshops, helping to shape a masterplan that is authentic to Bangor and its people.
Central to the framework is the concept of a “braid” of public realm improvements – a curated two-mile waterfront route that stitches together the town’s diverse character areas into a coherent whole. This “braid” celebrates Bangor’s varied landscape, topography, and activities, while creating a continuous, high-quality public realm that reconnects people to the sea.
Five distinct character areas have been identified, each drawing upon the unique qualities of its setting. Together, they form a sequence of place-based experiences, underpinned by targeted public realm and placemaking initiatives. This “string of pearls” approach provides the foundation for a rejuvenated Bangor waterfront – attractive, accessible, engaging, and alive with opportunity.
Skippingstone
This area celebrates Bangor’s heritage of sea swimming, particularly the old Victorian Ladies Bathing Pool, while responding to the surge of interest from local wild-swimming groups. Here, wellness and coastal culture combine under the masterplan’s “mind, body and soul” theme, creating a destination that promotes health, leisure, and reconnection with the sea.
Marina
As the focal point of the waterfront, the marina has the greatest potential to amplify Bangor’s economic and cultural offer. Proposals include expanding Pickie Fun Park with year-round activities, integrating the waterfront with the Queen’s Parade regeneration scheme, and enhancing views of the sea from piers and public spaces. A sculptural trail featuring local and international artists could celebrate Bangor’s rich heritage in art, music, and spirituality (St Columbanus), while new dining opportunities along the water’s edge would bring life and vibrancy. Reconfiguration of pontoons and surrounding spaces would improve functionality and unlock new sight lines to the sea.
Long Hole & Seacliff Road
Here, the emphasis is on active recreation and natural spectacle. Opportunities include dedicated spaces for water sports and sea swimming, alongside new viewing points for birdlife such as the guillemots, and for long views across Belfast Lough. Improved cyclist and pedestrian accessibility as part of the Greenways network would ensure the area becomes a welcoming, accessible hub for residents and visitors alike.
Kingsland Peninsula
Kingsland is envisioned as a dynamic activity hub with regional reach. Options include upgrading Ballyholme Yacht Club into a centre of excellence for watersports, and developing youth-focused facilities such as an Olympic-standard skate park or skateable landscape — a proposal strongly supported in community engagement. The peninsula also offers potential development sites where new leisure or recreation facilities could be sensitively integrated into the landscape, making the most of its natural topography while minimising visual impact.
Ballyholme Beach
Already one of Bangor’s brightest pearls, Ballyholme Beach has the potential to be elevated further with new recreational facilities and infrastructure. The long-term aspiration is to achieve Blue Flag status, supported by amenities such as cafés, shower pods, and cycle hire kiosks. Enhancements here would strengthen Ballyholme’s role as both a local asset and a regional attraction.
