Regeneration Sites Team
In May 2002, the Reinvestment and Reform Initiative was launched by the then Prime Minister, Chancellor of the Exchequer and the First Minister and deputy First Minister. This groundbreaking initiative was intended to provide a new momentum for social and economic regeneration in Northern Ireland. As part of the initiative, the Government agreed to transfer to the Executive, without charge, a number of former security sites, namely Crumlin Road Gaol, security bases at Malone Road, Belfast and Magherafelt; Ebrington Barracks in Londonderry; and the Maze Prison/Long Kesh site, near Lisburn. The Maze/Long Kesh site is uniquely significant in this regeneration programme. The Regeneration Sites Team is tasked to drive forward the regeneration of these sites.
Background
Minister Hanson Announces Masterplan For Maze/Long Kesh
The Reinvestment and Reform Initiative made provision for the free transfer, to the Executive, of six strategic military and security assets.
- Ebrington Barracks in Londonderry transferred to the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister in December 2003 and is managed on their behalf by the OFMDFM/DSD owned Ilex Urban Regeneration Company Ltd
- The Crumlin Road Gaol transferred to OFMDFM in August 2003 and is currently managed by the North Belfast Community Action Unit
- The former Malone Road Army Barracks was sold in December 2003 for £3.397 million with the proceeds committed to the regeneration of the Crumlin Road Gaol.
- Transferred in April 2004, the former Maze Prison and the adjacent army base have combined to form the Maze Regeneration Site. Further information on the regeneration of this site can be found on the·Maze/Long Kesh website
- The former Royal Irish Regiment base in Magherafelt has been offered to the North Eastern Education and Library Board to facilitate the relocation of the local Primary and Nursery schools and to provide other pre and after school provision. The transfer is expected to take place during 2005.
Update
Statement from the First and Deputy First Minister regarding the future of the Maze/Long Kesh Masterplan
8 April 2009
The First Minister and deputy First Minister announced that the MLK Masterplan will not proceed in its original proposed form and that the current procurement process has now ended.
In a joint statement the First Minister and deputy First Minister said: “The 360 acre site, which remains in public ownership, is a site of regional significance. We fully recognise the economic development potential of this site and we are committed to exploiting this potential to the full, particularly given the economic climate we now find ourselves in.
"In order to do so, we will establish a Development Corporation which will take this project forward and will build on the work previously undertaken by OFMDFM and the All-Party Maze/Long Kesh Consultation Panel and which will have regard to all the elements of the site including any listed buildings.
"As we seek to maximise the economic, historical and reconciliation potential of the site we will continue to work with all those bodies interested in contributing to the development of the site.
"Throughout this process we have been grateful to the GAA, the IFA and the Ulster Branch of the IRFU for their work and commitment. As the multi-sports stadium element of the project will not be taken forward, the three sporting bodies have been asked to submit their preferred options to DCAL. The Executive looks forward to receiving a report on the outcome of that process and we remain committed to meeting the strategic stadium needs of the three sporting bodies.”
