Contractors are hoping that a 'masterplan' for a scenic seaside NI village will soon be approved and be offered funding.

The plans for Groomsport were unveiled at the end of June and include planned new paving, railings, landscaping and lights that would be installed along the most scenic stretch of the village.

North Down Borough Council is hoping to secure funding so it can make the improvements, which also include a facelift for shop fronts.

North Down Borough Council Leisure and Community Development Chief Stephen Reid said: "This study is now the basis of a Masterplan for Groomsport.

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"The next phase of the development will depend on rural development funds, and at that stage we will be able to have further consultation."

Answering calls to also include nearby Ballyholme by councillors, the officer warned: "This particular development was only supported by Rural Development in areas that meet the selected criteria.

"The issue would have to be something separate to this fund. It would have to be something that would be considered by this council at another time."

The local councillors were told that Groomsport's re-development has been the subject of a Rural Development Programme and that a technical study of Groomsport, Cockle Row Cottages and the surrounding area were the focal point for the future development of Groomsport's tourism potential with the cottage area making up phase one of five in any future potential capital works resulting from the study.

The local Bangor Spectator newspaper said that the report and plans would be brought to a future Leisure and Tourism Committee meeting for approval.

(BMcC/GK)