Is that it? - Unionists clash over plans for the Maze site

In January 2006 the first details of the Maze masterplan were revealed, promising an ambitious redevelopment including a 42,500-seater stadium, an indoor arena, hotel, offices, cafes and restaurants, multi-screen cinema, industrial zone and housing and parkland.

Over four years later, with none of the plans started and the iconic National Stadium centrepiece of the regeneration scrapped, the First and Deputy First Minister have announced the latest slimmed down plan for the 360 acre site.

Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness said a Maze/Long Kesh Development Corporation will be set up to progress those plans.

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said they would shortly submit an EU funding application for a Peace Building and Conflict Resolution Facility on the site.

"It is anticipated that the centre will be a world class facility of international importance designed to strengthen our peace building expertise and to share our experiences with others throughout the world" he said.

First Minister Peter Robinson added: "The constitution of a Development Corporation for this strategically important Maze/Long Kesh site will enable us to realise the full economic potential of the site. The site represents a unique opportunity to help revive our economic output in these difficult times.

"The site could potentially create some 6,000 jobs, securing the construction industry in Northern Ireland for years to come. "

But while the announcement has been welcomed by DUP politicians Ulster Unionists said Lisburn was getting 'a shrine to terrorists' but missing out on the once in a generation opportunity the national stadium would have provided.

DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson said the development would be 'significant' and added: "This is good news for Lisburn and what we need now is for people to get behind this project and send out a positive message that we are open for business."

But Former UUP Mayor Ronnie Crawford said: "I, and many others were prepared to accept a properly run Conflict Resolution Centre if that was the price which had to be paid for the Stadium at the Maze, but now these politicians have, with the greatest of contempt, deprived us of the stadium and given us the very thing they deemed so totally unacceptable. Unionism in Northern Ireland has now run up the white flag."