Published Wednesday, 25 April 2012
Residents protested against the proposed Bingham Street development in Bangor. (© Pacemaker)
Councillors were lobbied on Tuesday evening as they attended a meeting of North Down Borough Council.
The residents are opposed to proposals aimed at approving the development on Bingham Street.
Their concerns include the provision of parking and the appearance of the building.
The group SOS Bangor called for the council to withhold approval and to refer the matter back to the Planning Service at a management board meeting.
It's understood a large number of objections have been lodged with the Planning Service.
Colin Goddard, the Chair of SOS Bangor, said: "The feeling we have is of deep dismay."
"He continued: "We have continually stated that we are not against re-development of this site. In fact we would welcome its return to residential use. But any redevelopment has to be sympathetic to the character of the town centre; that's what all the Planning Policies state."
Despite residents' concerns, councillors voted against an appeal to re-examine the planning approval.