New Chairman is passionate about development project

Speaking following his appointment this week, Mr Brannigan said there was great opportunity at the site for the whole community.

“I did passionately want to be involved and I was thrilled to be given this opportunity,” he said. “At first I had the same preconceptions about the site that most people have and all I thought about was the prison. However, when I came to visit the site I suddenly remembered having been here as a child to go gliding. It has a long history, as an airfield during the war, as a meteorological centre and much more that we want to remember. It has a rich and varied history and there are some great stories to be told.”

Mr Brannigan pointed out that the new Peace Centre, which has caused controversy, will only comprise 8% of the total 347 acre site and he is keen to hear from the local community about how the rest of the site should be utilised.

“There is such an opportunity to deliver a range of very positive things for this site,” he said. “We have to deliver prosperity and jobs for the whole of this region but we must do that in conjunction with the people of this community.

“We need to ensure we develop strong partnerships with Lisburn City Council and with the community in order that what is developed here fits and the people get value from it. As we progress we have got to keep talking, and more importantly listening, to the city council and the community.”

Mr Brannigan said there were a range of options for the site, including the development of an agri-foods sector, as well as the provision of significant community space at the front of the site.

He added that a series of events would be held at the site in the coming months and years to encourage the wider community to make use of the area.

“We are looking at a number of events to bring life and vibrancy to the site and to change people’s perception of what the site does,” he concluded.