It was highlighted at Ashford Borough Council’s Cabinet meeting on September 27th that Ashford International Studios development has the potential to drive growth locally, regionally, and nationally, but significant challenges remain.
The Newtown Works project aims to transform a 4.8-hectare brownfield site, including five Grade II listed buildings, into a vibrant hub featuring film studios, residential areas, an education centre, commercial spaces, and a hotel.
The project received £14.77 million from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund (LUF) in Round 1 to support its development, which was approved in September 2020. This funding is intended to cover abnormal development costs, restore heritage assets, and create infrastructure for new educational spaces linked to the TV/Film production sector.
Key challenges include meeting LUF funding deadlines for the educational space within the Locomotive Sheds, which has faced delays due to rising costs, inflation, and other economic factors. Additionally, the issue of Nutrient Neutrality and recent industry strikes have impacted the project’s viability and interest in new studio construction.
With a deadline of March 2025, the Council and the Ashford International Development Company (AIDC) are exploring alternative options to ensure the LUF funding is effectively utilized. The East Kent College Group (EKC) supports this approach, allowing the educational space to be delivered in the future as part of the overall development.
Current works funded by the LUF include:
- Brickwork cleaning and repairs for the Locomotive and Engine Sheds
- Restoration of the Clock Tower, Paint Store, and Acetylene Store to shell and core
- Access road improvements
These works will be undertaken alongside the original demolition works, reclamation works, S278 works, utilities work, professional fees, and design works to bring forward the scheme. Additional funding from the Levelling Up funding has been allocated to these works to ensure they can be completed, reducing the requirement for private funding from the company at these early stages, supporting the reduction in finance costs for the project to maintain overall viability of the scheme.
Cllr Peter Feacey, Chair of the Ashford International Development Company (AIDC) said:
“Although there have been some significant delays to the original programme for this development – with the major driving factor behind them due to nutrient neutrality – substantial works have still been undertaken during the past few years.
“With the challenges of bringing forward both the residential and Film and TV Studios on this site, moving forward with these works will still protect the heritage of the site, by enabling earlier restoration works to the five listed buildings on the site, and the ability for the educational space to then be delivered later on through the overall wider development funding.”Cllr Simon Betty, Portfolio Holder for Commercial Property and Investment, said:
“There have been many challenges being faced in delivering such a complex project, for example the need to find a solution to the nutrient neutrality issues that have arisen following necessary design modifications required, resulting in the likelihood that a new planning application will have to be made.
“I am pleased that despite the delays, the Project Adjustment Request has been accepted by the Government, enabling the LUF funding to be directed to bringing forward the restoration of the listed buildings on the site, thus retaining viability within the development.”
For more information on Newtown Works visit
https://www.quinn-estates.com/property/newtown-works/