Ashford gives green light to £250m studio complex

Ashford Borough Council has approved plans to build a £250m studio complex, which is expected to be used by both Amazon and Netflix when complete.

The Ashford International Studio complex will be built on the site of a derelict railway works and will include 240,000 sq. ft of dedicated production space.

The project’s master developer Quinn Estates, working with its funding partner U+I, and operator the Creative District Improvement Company, alongside award-winning architects Hollaway, have spent more than three years developing the project.

Quinn Estates will also deliver a 120-bed hotel and repurpose Grade II listed locomotive sheds for mixed commercial and residential use, including workshops and 300 apartments with space for a new Kent Film School, in partnership with local universities and colleges.

A roof-top restaurant and a 383-space multi-storey car park are also incorporated into the development.

The planning meeting, which is believed to be one of the first in the county, was held using Microsoft Teams Live Event, which the public were able to access via our website.

‘This development will be one of the most important economic drivers for the borough in the next few years and demonstrates the confidence that investors continue to have in Ashford,’ said council leader, Cllr Gerry Clarkson.

‘These exciting proposals involve finding a new use for one of the longest listed buildings in the country, which is of significant historical value but have been left to decay.

‘This development will sensitively ensure our proud railway heritage is recognised, while transforming a brownfield site which has laid dormant for many years into a Film and TV Studio hub together with a hotel, serviced apartments, conferencing facility and a health club,’ added Cllr Clarkson.

‘Not only will this development put Ashford on the map nationally and internationally, it will also create sought after film studio space, provide thousands of jobs and make the town a hub for the creative arts industry, which is set to grow significantly in the future.’

Photo Credit – Dbreen (Pixabay)