Ashford International Studios

Ashford International Studios is a proposed multi-media commercial and residential site in Newtown, a suburb of Ashford, Kent, in England, on the site of the former Ashford railway works, adjacent to Ashford International station.

History
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 2000000 sqft of additional space. 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.

The site covers 500000 sqft 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. The existing listed buildings on site, including the railway sheds, will be developed around and incorporated into the final design. As of June 2022, the site is 65% funded by the council. 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. The project has been approved by local Member of Parliament Damian Green.

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. The project was boosted in October 2022 by a £14.7 million boost from the government's Levelling Up Fund. In March 2023, the council agreed to a £50m loan to secure funding for development. Around £400,000 has been funded for improvements in road access to the site, including the nearby A2070 road. Preliminary enabling and infrastructure works began to take place in 2023. Full construction is expected to begin in August, and the studios to open in July 2025.