Sports and political parties unite over Maze stadium plan

The Maze/Long Kesh monitoring group has today had its first face to face meeting with representatives from the three main sports bodies in Northern Ireland.

The event was hosted by David Hanson MP, Minister responsible for the development of the former prison site.

Mr Hanson said: “It was an excellent meeting and all the stakeholders involved in the regeneration of the Maze/Long Kesh site now have a clear vision on the way forward for the site, upon which they are all agreed.

“The commitment of the three sporting bodies and the main political parties has meant that real progress is being made. The three sporting bodies have played a key role in supporting the development of the Maze/Long Kesh regeneration site and have made significant steps towards agreement in relation to the stadium design team.

“The main political parties continue to work together providing advice on progress across all aspects of the potential for development at the site and the implementation of the Masterplan proposals.

The Minister concluded: “Government is committed to this project. Demolition of the major structural elements at the site has begun and a £7.4 million programme of consultancy work is well underway to take the development to the full appraisal stage. All being well we are on course to submit a planning application for the stadium and other key elements this time next year.”

Maze/Long Kesh Monitoring group Chairman Edwin Poots of the DUP added: “Work undertaken to date, including Monday’s start to demolition works, has generated momentum for the project.

“Today all the sporting bodies and political stakeholders were in the same room for the first time. We all agreed this was an exciting opportunity for Northern Ireland and it is important that we build on these commitments to deliver for all of our people.”

Vice Chairman Paul Butler of Sinn Fein said the highly positive engagement demonstrated the depth of both the political and sporting buy-in to the overall vision and added that everyone left the meeting “believing the whole project had taken another step forward.”

As part of the current programme of work, consultants are carrying out a range of activities including transport and environmental assessments.

The Strategic Investment Board is also engaging with potential private sector development partners to ensure that the maximum social and economic benefit is derived from the site for the whole community.

(EF/KMcA)