The project was created after the site of the railway works had lain dormant for over 30 years, and following a report by the British Film Institute that the film industry requires 10,000 further employees in the next five years, along with around Шаблон:Convert of additional space.[1] The town council has said that although on-location filming is popular in Kent, citing films such as Avengers: Age of Ultron and Into The Woods, there are no appropriate local production facilities.[2]
The site covers Шаблон:Convert and includes five Grade II listed buildings, and is a joint scheme between Ashford Borough Council and the privately funded Quinn Estates. Plans were first approved by the council in April 2020.[3] The existing listed buildings on site, including the railway sheds, will be developed around and incorporated into the final design.[1] As of June 2022, the site is 65% funded by the council.[4] Facilities include a hotel, 300 apartments, a restaurant and a multi-story car park. Netflix, Amazon and HBO have all expressed interest in operating on the site.[5] The project has been approved by local Member of Parliament Damian Green.[6]
The studios were originally planned to open in 2022, but progress was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, Quinn Estates hoped work could be completed by 2023.[7] The project was boosted in October 2022 by a £14.7 million boost from the government's Levelling Up Fund.[8] In March 2023, the council agreed to a £50m loan to secure funding for development.[9] Around £400,000 has been funded for improvements in road access to the site, including the nearby A2070 road.[10] Preliminary enabling and infrastructure works began to take place in 2023.[6] Full construction is expected to begin in August, and the studios to open in July 2025.[5]
