AN AVIATION society show has been cancelled for a second year because of a spat between the DUP and Sinn Féin over the Maze prison site.
The Ulster Aviation Society pulled a two-day event planned for later this month after Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness's department failed to approve it.
It is the second year running that it has been forced to cancel the event at the Maze site because of a Stormont row over its redevelopment.
The DUP last year said it was blocked by Sinn Féin's Mr McGuinness, while Sinn Féin said the society's event could proceed if the DUP agreed to re-open access to the prison buildings.
Tensions emerged in August 2013 when First Minister Mr Robinson halted plans to build a peace centre as part of a £300m redevelopment project.
The U-turn followed criticism from unionist rivals, the Orange Order and victims' groups who claimed it would become a shrine to terrorism.
Mr McGuinness responded by saying no further development of the site outside Lisburn would take place until the issue was resolved.
Ulster Aviation Society chair Ray Burrows last night said its event was expected to attract more than 7,000 visitors.
"It is disgusting the fact that there has been absolutely no movement on this in 12 months. To me it just seems typical of how the government is working here - or rather not working," he said.
Mr Burrows (66), from Dundonald, said he met with Sinn Féin junior minister Jennifer McCann and her special adviser in June over their application to use the site on August 22 and 23.
"They came out with the same line as usual that they had nothing against the Ulster Aviation Society, but that there would be no development at the site until they get the prison visits," he said.
Applicants to use the Maze site must receive consent from the first and deputy first ministers, except for land used by the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society.
Requests are sent to the Maze Long Kesh Development Corporation before being forwarded to the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) for approval.
In May The Irish News revealed OFMDFM has not responded to 86 per cent of requests to visit or use the Maze/Long Kesh site.
Only five of the 37 applications sent since August 2013 have been approved by the department.
Charities, community groups, academics, and film crews have as a result been denied access.
The SDLP's Alex Attwood said the cancellation of this year's aviation event "sums up the failure of government by the First Minister and Deputy First Minister".
Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt said: "This decision reeks of petty vindictiveness by people stomping their feet because they could not get their own way over the so-called Peace Building and Conflict Resolution Centre proposal."
But Sinn Féin's Raymond McCartney said the issue is a result of the DUP "reneging" on a commitment to redevelop the site.
"The DUP reneged on that commitment, unilaterally stopping all progress on the site and preventing access to the prison buildings," he said.
"The continuing freeze on development at the site is a direct result of the DUP reneging on that commitment."
The Office of the First and Deputy First Minister last night said: "There is no current agreement on the development of MLK."
