Film studio plans in North Yorkshire criticised as ‘industrialising the countryside’
The ambition to build a large campus for television and film production studios at Scotch Corner is illogical and would represent rural industrialization, it has been claimed.
The plans envisage the campus being built on prime farmland alongside a designer village, the UK’s largest garden center and a manufacturing facility.
Objections to Scotch Corner Richmond LLP’s plan to construct six sprawling soundstage buildings totaling 27,870 square feet south of Barracks Bank have also claimed developers should consider using a brownfield site instead.
The move follows plans submitted to Richmondshire District Council to develop land to the east of the proposed film campus, land to the north being developed for a designer outlet village and a Blue Diamond Garden Centre.
Read more: Review of The Shawshank Redemption at the Theater Royal in Newcastle
Scotch Corner Richmond LLP said its bid responded to “an urgent need in the film industry” for film and television production space and is in active discussions with a major UK film production company.
According to the documents, “The global rise in popularity of high-quality streamed content has created an incredibly competitive environment for content production, not only between the streaming platforms and producers, but also for traditional broadcasters looking to compete ‘Up their game’ as these streaming services often outperform the very best production values.”
The planning documents state that the proposed development would provide Richmondshire with long-term social and economic benefits, including the creation of “up to 300 high-quality job opportunities” if the facility were to operate at full capacity.
The Economic Benefit Statement follows leading North Yorkshire councilors who have expressed concern at unsubstantiated, exaggerated and unverified claims of job creation by other developers.
Continue reading: Darlington’s Give Them Wings is shown at the Hullabaloo
When asked if it was projected that 300 full-time positions would be created on campus and who included the number of “employment opportunities” (like actors and extras), a company spokesman said the number represented “the maximum number that would be achieved at full utilization.” of the plant work”.
The spokesperson added: “You will understand that there may be some cyclical usage depending on the needs of film and television production companies. We expect more indirect jobs to be created through the supply chain to the plant, but we have not quantified this at this time.”
In letters to the Council, objections have been raised that there can be no justification for not using a set-aside land as this would result in the loss of quality arable land, without there being a demonstrable imperative to do so.
One objector stated: “This would lead to an industrialization of the open landscape, detrimental to its appearance and character and in direct conflict with established local and national planning guidelines.
Continue reading:
The objectors have also claimed that the Scotch Corner junction of the A1(M) and A66 is already almost full at peak times, causing congestion along feeder roads.
One objector wrote: “There is no logical reason why this proposal should be located in the chosen site as it is far better suited to an established commercial site.”
For more great stories, subscribe to The Northern Echo for just £1.25 a week. Click here.
