Ashford International Film Studios c TCDI

Source: TCDI

Ashford International Film Studios concept art

Over £14.7 million from the UK government’s levelling up fund has been allocated to support the creation of a new international film studio in Ashford, Kent.

The planned studios will sit on an over 500,000ft2 brownfield site with five Grade II listed buildings on the site of the old Newton Railway Works.

The studio will provide production and filming space and will be developed with several partners, including Ashford International Development Company, a joint venture between Ashford Borough Council and Quinn Estates; a yet-to-be announced film and TV studios operator; and EKG Group (six community-based colleges across East Kent).

The site will also deliver a residential development, a new educational facility and commercial premises.

A £250m ($308m) UK film and TV studio development in Ashford’s derelict Newtown Railway Works was first greenlit by councillors in April 2020.

The government’s levelling up fund is designed to invest in infrastructure across the UK. Michael Gove is the secretary of state for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.