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Developing Maze site could give work to thousands

Thursday, 15 October 2009

Thousands of jobs could be created by development of the former site of the Maze Prison near Lisburn, an official behind the plan believes.

A corporation is to be established to review what to do with the 360 acres of land.

It follows a decision last year not to build a £140m national sports stadium there.

Alan Maitland, head of regeneration at OFMDFM, told his department's Stormont scrutiny committee: "Because this is such a huge site there are thousands of potential jobs and if the corporation can come up with the right mix of ideas and it can be a beacon for investment then who knows what the prospects can be.

"Even though this is a huge site the corporation must focus on how it impacts on the whole community.

"Before we see what investment is made we will want to know that we will be getting a return both to the economy and to the good of the society for that significant expenditure and employment will be a key feature in that."

The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) paid planning consultants £3.5m in fees for the abandoned Maze Stadium in the past three years.

A Belfast advertising firm was paid more than £10,000 for advice on the naming rights despite work never having started.

Sinn Fein and the SDLP, who supported the project, have attacked the costs.

First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness have insisted they were committed to exploiting the site to the full, particularly given the current economic climate.

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"Developing Maze site could give work to thousands..." What are the missing words here? Answer: "Developing Maze site could give work to thousands of consultants, developers and contractors from outside Northern Ireland". Why change the habit of a life-time? And they'll still tell us that they support a sustainable local economy.

Posted by Usula Hatton | 15.10.09, 14:16 GMT