Conservative led Ashford Borough Council has welcomed the Government’s decision to award £14,773,745 of Levelling Up Funding for the Ashford International Studios, Newtown Works project.
The council submitted the bid in June 2021, identified as one of the borough’s strategically important projects in our draft Corporate Plan 2022-24. The bid was supported by Damian Green MP, alongside the partners of the Ashford Strategic Delivery Board. Support also came from SELEP, Kent Film Office, KICC, Screen South and the EKC Group.
The site has been vacant since the mid-1980s due to the challenges in remediating the site and the high costs associated with converting the 37,179m2 of Grade II Listed buildings. The funding will address these key barriers to delivery, and also enable the delivery of a Digital Industries skills and education centre to support local people taking up new job opportunities in the Ashford International Film and TV Studios.
“This strategic project will deliver a key economic driver for Ashford and Kent, much needed inward investment for the UK and will regenerate a nationally important railway heritage site.” - Cllr Gerry Clarkson, Leader of Ashford Borough Council
