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£3.5m spent on abandoned stadium £3.5m spent on abandoned stadium
(40 minutes later)
The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) paid planning consultants over £3m for their work on the abandoned Maze stadium project.The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) paid planning consultants over £3m for their work on the abandoned Maze stadium project.
In total, the department has paid over £3.5m in consultancy fees for the project in the past three years.In total, the department has paid over £3.5m in consultancy fees for the project in the past three years.
A Belfast advertising firm was paid more than £10,000 for advice on the naming rights for the stadium, despite work never having started.A Belfast advertising firm was paid more than £10,000 for advice on the naming rights for the stadium, despite work never having started.
Sinn Fein and the SDLP, who supported the project, have attacked the costs.Sinn Fein and the SDLP, who supported the project, have attacked the costs.
A proposal to built a stadium for soccer, Gaelic football and rugby at the site of the former Maze prison site was shelved earlier this year.A proposal to built a stadium for soccer, Gaelic football and rugby at the site of the former Maze prison site was shelved earlier this year.
The DCAL minister at the time Gregory Campbell told department officials that the cost estimated at between £156m and £193m would not be compensated by the social and economic benefits.The DCAL minister at the time Gregory Campbell told department officials that the cost estimated at between £156m and £193m would not be compensated by the social and economic benefits.
He instead proposed to give money to each of the governing bodies to redevelop their own facilities.He instead proposed to give money to each of the governing bodies to redevelop their own facilities.
However, his predecessor and party colleague Edwin Poots and the direct rule administration before him were broadly in favour of a multi sports stadium at the Maze.However, his predecessor and party colleague Edwin Poots and the direct rule administration before him were broadly in favour of a multi sports stadium at the Maze.
That led to millions of pounds being spent to pave the way for the development.That led to millions of pounds being spent to pave the way for the development.
DisappointedDisappointed
The biggest fee was paid to engineering and planning consultants, Mott MacDonald.The biggest fee was paid to engineering and planning consultants, Mott MacDonald.
As well as £2,417,634 for "design" costs in 2007-8, the firm were also paid £726,566 for "business planning" costs a year earlier.As well as £2,417,634 for "design" costs in 2007-8, the firm were also paid £726,566 for "business planning" costs a year earlier.
A spokesman for the company said they drew up plans which were comprehensive enough to go forward for planning permission, once an environmental impact assessment had been completed.A spokesman for the company said they drew up plans which were comprehensive enough to go forward for planning permission, once an environmental impact assessment had been completed.
Then DCAL Minister Gregory Campbell abandoned the Maze project in JanuaryThen DCAL Minister Gregory Campbell abandoned the Maze project in January
He said that the firm were "very disappointed" that the project had been dropped but "hopeful" that it could be resurrected.He said that the firm were "very disappointed" that the project had been dropped but "hopeful" that it could be resurrected.
However he warned that the plans were specifically designed for a stadium that would be able to host the three sports.However he warned that the plans were specifically designed for a stadium that would be able to host the three sports.
"If these plans were going to be used for a stadium for one sport only, then they would need some very significant changes," he said."If these plans were going to be used for a stadium for one sport only, then they would need some very significant changes," he said.
"The stadium was designed in such a way as to be able to host GAA matches which need a particularly big pitch.""The stadium was designed in such a way as to be able to host GAA matches which need a particularly big pitch."
Belfast-based advertising firm Fire IMC were paid £10,000 for advice on how naming rights to the new stadium could be financially exploited.Belfast-based advertising firm Fire IMC were paid £10,000 for advice on how naming rights to the new stadium could be financially exploited.
English football clubs including Bolton Wanderers and Arsenal have sold the right to name their stadia in multi-million pound deals.English football clubs including Bolton Wanderers and Arsenal have sold the right to name their stadia in multi-million pound deals.
Shadow boxingShadow boxing
Last month, SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone revealed that more than £100m had been spent on consultancy fees by Stormont departments in the past five years.Last month, SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone revealed that more than £100m had been spent on consultancy fees by Stormont departments in the past five years.
The DUP have got involved in a very expensive sort of shadow boxing Patsy McGloneThe DUP have got involved in a very expensive sort of shadow boxing Patsy McGlone
He said the latest revelations were indicative of the potential for money to go to waste.He said the latest revelations were indicative of the potential for money to go to waste.
"You don't spend this sort of money unless you're absolutely sure that you're going to be going ahead with the project," he said."You don't spend this sort of money unless you're absolutely sure that you're going to be going ahead with the project," he said.
"The DUP have got involved in a very expensive sort of shadow boxing which has cost millions of pounds.""The DUP have got involved in a very expensive sort of shadow boxing which has cost millions of pounds."
The chair of the Stormont committee which scrutinises the department accused the DUP of "indecisiveness which cost the taxpayer millions".The chair of the Stormont committee which scrutinises the department accused the DUP of "indecisiveness which cost the taxpayer millions".
"Their decision not to go ahead with the Maze site was a political decision rather than an economic one," said Sinn Fein MLA Barry McElduff."Their decision not to go ahead with the Maze site was a political decision rather than an economic one," said Sinn Fein MLA Barry McElduff.
"This expenditure would have been justified had they gone ahead."This expenditure would have been justified had they gone ahead.
"But the DUP took so long to make up their minds, showing such a lack of vision and leadership that they have landed us with a huge and unnecessary waste of money.""But the DUP took so long to make up their minds, showing such a lack of vision and leadership that they have landed us with a huge and unnecessary waste of money."
The other consultancy costs incurred by the department include £181,302 to KPMG/Davis Langdon for "programme management" and a further £17,943 to the same company for a purpose not revealed.The other consultancy costs incurred by the department include £181,302 to KPMG/Davis Langdon for "programme management" and a further £17,943 to the same company for a purpose not revealed.
Management consultants Price Waterhouse Coopers were paid £196, 935 for "business planning" work, while the same company charged £1,491 for its employees to brief the minister on the work it had carried out.Management consultants Price Waterhouse Coopers were paid £196, 935 for "business planning" work, while the same company charged £1,491 for its employees to brief the minister on the work it had carried out.