The Northern Ireland Office is expecting an agreed report next week on a development proposal for the old Maze prison site in Co Antrim. Dan Keenan, Northern News Editor, reports.
The plans, which could have the approval of the main political parties, would transform the 360-acre site outside Lisburn into a business area, an exhibition centre and a 30,000-seater sporting arena suitable for concerts and other events.
The Irish Times also understands that one of the H Blocks may be turned into a museum. The Maze is significant, especially for republicans, as 10 hunger strikers died there in 1981. It was closed in 2000 following the prison release scheme, which followed the Belfast Agreement of 1998.
Reported estimates of the investment required to transform the estate, topping £1 billion, have been dismissed by a well-placed Stormont source, who said that costing would take some time. It was further suggested that the British government was in no mood for investment of that scale.
A cross-party working group was set up by the NIO in January 2003 to examine the potential uses for the Maze site.
The report group is understood to be broadly in favour of a 40-acre sports facility, including a stadium. The main sporting organisations, including the GAA, have signalled they will consider the possibility of using the stadium. But there are no commitments to this, The Irish Times was warned.
The Maze site plan may also house an "international conflict transformation centre", equestrian facilities and an exhibition centre. These could be complemented by office, hotel, leisure, bar and restaurant facilities.
An industrial park which would aim to pull in outward investment may eventually help create 5,000 jobs, according to one estimate.
However, new transport links would also be required. This would be on top of a massive infrastructure overhaul currently being planned under the Reform and Reinvestment Initiative begun under the last Executive.
The NIO is certain to adopt a positive yet cautious approach.