The minister responsible for the Maze, David Hanson, said recently that a decision on whether or not the stadium would go ahead will not be made until the end of 2007.

BBC: NEWS | UK | Northern Ireland | Plan for new Maze stadium redrawn

The chairman of the Maze Long Development Corporation has welcomed Mr Attwood's decision to grant planning permission.

BBC: Maze prison site: Green light given for showgrounds plan

In April, DUP MLA Edwin Poots said his party had made a "corporate decision" to get behind the redevelopment of the former Maze Prison site.

BBC: Plans for former Maze prison site get go-ahead