25 June 2003
MAZE CONSULTATION PANEL TO HOST PUBLIC MEETING
A public meeting is to take place on Wednesday 2 July at 7pm in the Island Hall at Lagan Valley Island (Lisburn Civic Centre) as part of the consultation process being undertaken by the Maze Consultation Panel.
The Panel was set up by Minister Ian Pearson in March this year to investigate options for the regeneration of the Maze and Long Kesh security sites that are being handed over to the NI Administration as part of the Reinvestment and Reform Initiative.
Encouraging the public to attend the meeting the Minister said: "The Maze/Long Kesh site has the potential to play a hugely significant part in the process of social and economic regeneration not just at a local but also at a regional level. Its location and size mean it has a particularly important role to play in the aim of transforming sites and assets, which have been associated with militarisation and conflict, into symbols and engines of peaceful economic and social regeneration.
"The Maze Consultation Panel have been charged with bringing forward proposals for the regeneration of this site and in order for them to fulfil this remit they have rightly identified the need to engage with all sections of the public and interest groups.
"In the first instance this engagement is to educate about the scope of the work that the Panel are undertaking and secondly it is to obtain the broadest possible range of ideas and involvement of the community in the future development of these sites and assets.
"I would take this opportunity to encourage anyone who has an interest in the future of the Maze and Long Kesh sites to come along to this initial public meeting and hear for themselves the work that the Panel is engaged in," the Minister said.
The site, which incorporates the former Long Kesh MoD base as well as the former Maze Prison encompasses a total of 360 acres. The panel’s work will involve spearheading a wide ranging consultation programme and bringing forward a report on the potential use of the site. The Panel aim to provide an interim progress report by the autumn. .A Technical Feasibility Study into the condition of the site and any constraints to development is underway and should be complete by mid September. This will help inform the on-going process of consultation.
At the meeting members of the panel will outline the work that they are involved in and an opportunity will be given for members of the public to question them on that work.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
www.ofmdfmni.gov.uk/rri
The inaugural meeting of the Maze Consultation Panel was held at the offices of Lisburn City Council on Monday 10 March 2003. The chair and vice chair of the panel are Mr David Campbell and Mr Michael McKernan respectively. The group also includes Mr Edwin Poots, Mr Mairtin OMuilleoir, M/s Gerry Cosgrove and Mr Roy Bailie CBE.
Information on the Reinvestment and Reform Initiative and the Maze Consultation Panel can be accessed on the OFMDFM website at –
Further information contact OFMDFM Press Office, tel. 028 9037 8116 or mobile 07850 187134
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