§ Mr. James Kilfedder (North Down)I regard it as a matter of honour to be entrusted with the presentation of this petition to Parliament. It has been signed in a relatively short time—that time has been dictated by the urgency of the matter—by almost 6,000 residents of Bangor, young and old—people of all political views and of all religious views. The petition reads:
To the honourable the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled.The Humble petition of residents of Bangor and elsewhere Sheweth.That we fear the imminent destruction of the beautiful seaside resort of Bangor. In addition to the placing of a car park on the sea front, construction work has started on an administration building, Bregenz house, which will be fifty feet high and which has not yet received planning permission.It has long been the policy of the council, indeed since the last century, that all construction work directly on the seafront of Bangor should be discouraged.This latest development therefore represents a major change of direction with no mandate from the people of Bangor, who have not been given any warning about the size of the administration building.Such enormous premises will clearly be the first step in wholesale development of the seafront, which could prevent residents and visitors from the enjoyment of the seafront and what is left of the view of Bangor bay.Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your honourable House will urge the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to provide a local referendum. Any further building work on the seafront, including Bregenz house, should be stopped until the opinion of the people of Bangor is voiced.And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray etc.To lie upon the Table.