Ashford Borough Council to speak about new film studios campus

Above: CGI of proposed film studios and mixed-use campus development at Ashford, Kent (courtesy Quinn Estates)

Ashford Borough Council's Head of Economic Development, Andrew Osborne, will join our 'Creative Cities' discussions at the BFI this month to describe the planning of a new film production campus adjacent to Ashford International railway station.

Ashford Borough Council resolved to grant consent in April 2020 for the ambitious £250m film studio development. NTW (New Town Works) is centred around putting Ashford in the limelight as a significant new player in the streaming revolution with a commercially led development focused on the creation of TV and film production space.

Ashford Borough Council stated:

'As one of the county’s most high profile brownfield sites, the proposal represents the evolution of a redundant 12.6 acre former railway works into a mixed-use scheme totalling nearly 1million square feet of restored listed buildings and brand new space.

'To be known as Ashford International Studios, the scheme next to the International Station has attracted some heavyweight partners in The Creative District Improvement Company and Time + Space Studios, who collectively work with some of the world’s largest TV and film companies.'

This major regeneration project involves the creation of the following:

• Brand new 200,000 square feet world class film studio complex

• 90,000 square feet of business space in the Grade II Listed former engine sheds

• Media village designed for SME’s and supporting industries with higher education partnerships established to deliver opportunities in this growth sector for Kent’s ambitious students

• 120-bedroom hotel with conference and event space

• 62 serviced apartments

• Multi-storey car park

• On site restaurants and retail space with a landscaped promenade running the full length of the estate

• 302 one-and two-bedroom apartments over five floors of the Grade II Listed former locomotive sheds

Andrew Osborne, who has been involved in economic development at Ashford Borough Council since 2005, will be speaking at Future Cities Forum with Westminster City Council, the Museum of London, Lewisham Council, Scott Brownrigg, Hoare Lea, Here East, BDP, Dido Property and Pilbrow and Partners, among other guests.