Maze Prison Retains Listed Status

A controversial former Co Antrim prison facility is to be further protected.

The Maze Prison buildings are to keep listed status, NI Environment Minister, Edwin Poots has announced.

Last year, Mr Poots' predecessor Sammy Wilson asked officials for permission to revoke the listed status given to the Maze hospital and part of the H-Blocks.

However, Mr Poots has said that an Environment Agency review concluded that the buildings on the site merit such protection.

Many unionists are unhappy about the listing of the Maze structures, suggesting that the site may become a shrine to the republican hunger strikers that died in the jail in 1981.

Republicans, however, have argued that the jail represents an important part of Irish history and suggested that the site become a conflict transformation centre.

A development corporation is to be set up to consider options regarding the future of the site.

Last year, the then Sports Minister Gregory Campbell decided against building a multi-sports stadium there.

Over the last four years, more than £350,000 has been spent maintaining the listed buildings on the site.

(NS/BMcC)