Fans 'ignored' over Northern Ireland stadium

The British government was tonight accused of ignoring the wishes of Northern Ireland football fans over the location for a new national stadium.

Belfast City Council unanimously passed a motion demanding a fair and open debate on the proposed £85m (€125m) multi-sports development on the site of the former Maze Prison, near Lisburn.

Councillors from the DUP, UUP, the SDLP and the Alliance Party called on the Secretary of State to reveal the full business case for the controversial move.

Critics of the Maze plan claim that to build the stadium on the site would squander the tourist potential of locating it in the heart of Belfast.

They have cited the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Croke Park in Dublin and Wembley as examples of how major stadia work best in cities.

DUP Councillor Ian Crozier claimed a blanket of secrecy surrounded the British government’s plans.

He told the council’s monthly meeting: “The case for the Maze site is woefully inadequate.

“It is painfully thin and the more we discuss it the more it is brutally exposed.

“This is not just about Belfast.

“The Northern Ireland Supporters Club in Hillsborough (Co Down) have said it should be in Belfast and the Maze is in their back yard.”

A recorded vote at the end of a three-and-a-half hour session was taken in a deserted chamber.

The motion called for the British government to:

:: Take heed of the views of Northern Ireland football supporters and others who do not believe the Maze is a suitable location for the stadium.

:: Reveal immediately the full business case for the national stadium.

:: To identify how the Maze move fits in with wider Government policies.

:: Hold a fair and open debate on the national stadium.

:: Identify a suitable inner city brownfield site for the national stadium in Belfast.