A number of controversial proposals for the regeneration of a busy Co Antrim seaside town have been dropped.

Initial plans for commercial and residential development at the Marine Gardens in Carrickfergus have now been scrapped in favour of constructing a brand new state-of-the-art park on the site.

Those behind the Carrickfergus Masterplan now aim to run an international landscape design competition to find a suitable layout for the new park at Marine Gardens.

Plans for a new marina at Fisherman's Quay have also been ditched in favour of turning the location into a water sports facility.

There are now new plans for the construction of a one storey 'below ground level' water sports centre at Fisherman's Quay and plans for the construction of a 2.5 storey sight-seeing tower close to Carrick Sailing Club.

It is thought the changes to the Masterplan were introduced after the initial plan was met with opposition from members of the public and elected representatives during the consultation period last year.

However, another controversial part of the Masterplan - the narrowing of the Marine Highway from four lanes to two, remains in place.

The Marine Highway has been identified as a major barrier separating the Castle and waterfront from the town centre - effectively splitting Carrickfergus town in two.

The Masterplan was commissioned in January 2009 by the Department for Social Development in partnership with Carrickfergus Council and the Carrickfergus Development Company.

Urban development consultants, the Paul Hogarth Company, is producing the Masterplan.

Last week NI Social Development Minister, Margaret Ritchie, announced the changes to the initial proposals. Ms Ritchie said: "I urged people at the start of the consultation period in September to examine draft proposals put forward and I welcome the overwhelming response.

"The views and suggestions expressed, helped guide us through very substantive issues for regenerating Carrickfergus town centre and these will be considered when we come to finalising the Masterplan."

Alderman Patricia McKinney, Mayor of Carrickfergus, said: "It is wonderful that the people of Carrickfergus have shown how passionate they are about their town. Thanks to the thoughtful and considered responses from people in the Borough, our Masterplan will truly reflect what people want."

The revised Masterplan will be submitted to Carrickfergus Council for discussion in February before being completed in the next few months.

An exhibition board showing a revised draft Masterplan is now available at the Civic Centre in the DeCourcy Centre and the office of Carrickfergus Development Company at 8 West Street until Wednesday 3 February.

(BMcC/GK)