New peace centre gets green light

The plan for the centre, which has been seen as controversial following concerns from some political parties that it would become ‘a shrine for terrorism’, received only one letter of opposition.

The decision on the Maze/Long Kesh redevelopment follows the recent approval for the relocation of the Balmoral show to the site. The building was designed by world renowned architect Daniel Libeskind along with McAdam Design.

A further application for minor works to the listed and retained buildings on the Maze site has also been granted planning permission today.

Commenting on his decision, Minister Attwood said: “I have granted permission for the proposed centre.

“There is learning to be taken from the conflict here.

“The centre can contribute to sharing this learning and perhaps to help inform the resolution of conflict in other places.

“I believe that good planning needs good design. That is certainly the case in the design of the Centre created by Daniel Libeskind, a world leader in architecture and a friend of Northern Ireland.”

Commenting on the speed of the planning decision he said: “I was able to grant planning permission for such a major scheme like this in less than six months.

“This is another example of the benefit of pro-active pre-application discussion and community consultation in dealing with major planning applications of regional significance, such as this.

“This will play a significant part in meeting a target of the EU funding programme and I am determined to continue making major planning decisions speedily and accurately and making a planning system more fit to achieve its purpose.”

Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson has welcomed the granting of planning permission for the development.

“I note that there was only a single objection to this planning and I understand that was a localised matter pertaining to a boundary issue,” said Mr Donaldson.

“The reality is that none of the politicians who have been very vocal in their opposition could be bothered to lodge an objection.

“Perhaps they have finally grasped the truth that the centre is not in the retained buildings but is on a separate section of the Maze site.”

Mr Donaldson continued: “The new peace centre is being designed by an award winning architect who designed the memorial to victims of terrorism at Ground Zero in New York and there is no way he would take on a commission to design a so-called shrine to terrorism.

“The new peace centre will have as it’s primary objective the promotion of peace and will be far from glorifying violence.

“It will be used to ensure that never again in Northern Ireland do we see the senseless slaughter of innocent people,” he concluded.

** What do you think of the plans to redevelop the Maze site? Do you think the peace centre will be a beneficial addition to the site? What do you think of the initial design of the building? What would you like to see on the Maze site?

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