SIB - Maze/Long Kesh (MLK) Aircraft Hangars Scoping Study

Tender description

The Maze/Long Kesh (MLK) site, near Lisburn in Northern Ireland, is owned in its entirety by The Office for the First Minister and Deputy Prime Minister (OFMFDFM). It was one of six former military sites transferred to the Executive by the UK Government as a key element of the 2002 Reinvestment and Reform Initiative (RRI), enabling them to be used for economic and social development purposes. At approximately 347 acres is the largest regeneration opportunity site in public ownership in Northern Ireland. It has a long and varied history: it was originally a World War II airfield, and in the post-war period was used amongst other things as a motor rallying circuit. Its most recent use was as a military base, an internment camp and prison. SIB wishes to appoint a professional team of specialists to prepare a Feasibility Study to assess the viability of a number of potential uses of the two World War II aircraft hangars, both Scheduled Monuments, at the Maze/Long Kesh (MLK) site. The Maze Long Kesh Programme Delivery Unit (MLK PDU) has been progressing the regeneration of MLK in advance of the establishment of a dedicated Development Corporation for the site early in 2012. MLK PDU – which includes a number of staff seconded from SIB - will manage this commission on behalf of the Strategic Investment Board (SIB).