Plans for a national sports stadium on the site of the former Maze prison will be deferred for another four years, according to reports.

However, it has been suggested plans are afoot for a Conflict Resolution Centre at the site, with other major funding expected to be announced in the New Year to upgrade the Windsor Park sporting ground in Belfast .

Both the DUP and Sinn Fein have agreed to rule out plans for a multi-sports facility at the 'Long Kesh" site, outside Lisburn, until 2012 at the earliest, the Belfast Telegraph has reported.

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This decision has cast serious doubt as to whether the stadium will ever be built, despite continuous calls from politicians and construction bodies to deliver the project in order to create much-needed building jobs.

Despite today's reports, DUP Junior Minister Jeffrey Donaldson has denied a final agreement on development at the former Maze Prison had been reached.

"The current situation is that discussions are ongoing between departments about the development of the Maze site and while some progress has been made, no decisions have been made yet in terms of either the Conflict Transformation Centre or the Stadium," he said.

Stormont sources have reportedly told the Belfast Telegraph Sports Minister Gregory Campbell will confirm a major refurbishment scheme at Windsor Park next year.

Plans for the stadium will include the building of a new 4,000 seat capacity stand.

(PR/JM)