Thousands of jobs could be created as part of multi-million plans to create a new cultural and economic hub at Scotch Corner.
New planning proposals for the area include an advanced manufacturing facility suitable for manufacturing giant Rolls Royce, a further phase of the Scotch Corner Designer Village already under construction and an adjacent film and television production facility.
Officials behind the plans submitted to Richmondshire District Council say up to 1,300 jobs could be created due to the £350 million investment.
Rolls Royce signalled earlier this year that it had shortlisted Scotch Corner for a 23,000 sq. m factory (equivalent to the size of three football pitches) with ancillary support offices (a further 3,100 sq. m).
The £200 million factory could be the first of three in the UK to manufacture parts for its small modular reactor programme, set up to increase the availability of low-cost, clean energy. Rolls Royce has recently visited the site and if selected, the state-of-the-art modern advanced manufacturing facility, which would support global decarbonisation, is likely to be the largest of its kind in the UK.
How the new factory could look
The outline planning proposals also include a 12,447 sq. m extension to the Scotch Corner Designer Village, which will include extra retail units and parking. Both the designer village and the 14,775 sq. m garden centre are scheduled to open at the end of 2023. The Designer Village will include around 80 leading brands at outlet prices including Hugo Boss, Tommy Hilfiger, Levi’s and Calvin Klein.
How the extension to the designer village could look
The proposal for a 30,650 sq. m film and television facility responds to an urgent need from the film industry of more film and television production space by 2026. Scotch Corner Richmond LLP, the company behind the proposal, says it is in active discussions with a major UK film production company.
Laurence Beardmore, president of York & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “At a time of such uncertainty, it is wonderful to see plans to create such skilled and well-paid jobs in the region.
“Yorkshire has a strong history of both attracting household names in businesses, as well as film and television to the region so this news is doubly well-received. “This development promises to be a game changer for North Yorkshire and as a Chamber it has our full support.”
How the film studio could look
“The ongoing success and resilience of the British film industry, plus increased appetite for a broader range of content for Broadcast TV, Streaming, Metaverse and Cinema plus the technical and investment expertise available in the UK, means that new flexible and regional facilities are required to meet current and future market demand,” said Rob Arthur, Director at Entertainment Solution Services.
“A new film studio in North Yorkshire, the location for period dramas such as Downton Abbey, Bridgerton and feature films like Mission Impossible 7, would be an absolute boon for the sector.”
A decision on the outline planning applications is expected in the first quarter of 2023.
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