Northern Ireland's latest film and TV studio complex in Belfast is set to enter a second phase of development.

The Belfast Harbour Film Studio opened three years ago at Giant's Park with two 32,000 square feet studios and 125,000 square feet of overall production space. Since its opening, the space has went on to host major productions like SyFy's Krypton TV series and is currently occupied by a major film production company.

Plans have now been submitted to develop six new purpose-built film and television studios at the site, quadrupling the size of the existing space and creating the largest studio complex outside of the South East of England.

This £45 million proposal will see the development of four additional 21,000 square feet studios and two 16,000 square feet studios as well as up to 100,000 square feet of production offices and 130,000 square feet of support workshops on an adjoining 20-acre site. It is expected to generate 250 construction jobs and around 1,000 creative industry jobs.

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Joe O'Neill Belfast Harbour's CEO, said: "In recent years Belfast has established itself as one of the UK's top media production hubs. In 2017 we invested £20m to provide brand new studio facilities but with record levels of demand for studio space globally we are confident the time is right to progress with phase two of the development.

"The location is highly accessible, is serviced by ultra-high speed internet connections and benefits from a skilled local workforce that has proven its ability to help deliver some of the world's best film and television content. This new studio complex will build on Northern Ireland's already impressive international reputation and generate around 1,000 creative industry jobs across a wide variety of disciplines."

Located on Belfast's Giant's Park on the North Foreshore, the expanded facility will also provide flexible backlot areas and dedicated support space for specialised creative suppliers to the industry and aligns with Belfast Harbour's ambitions to create a leading European media hub.

CEO of Northern Ireland's national screen agency, Northern Ireland Screen, Richard Williams has welcomed Belfast Harbour's investment at what is described as a "perfect time for our local industry".

"With Disney and Apple joining Netflix and Amazon in investing in the launch of their own on-demand streaming services, there is no end in sight to the demand for high-end, high-cost content," Mr Williams said.

"Belfast Harbour's support for the screen industries in Northern Ireland is exemplary, and their vision for phase two of Belfast Harbour Studios is inspired. It is a development that will help Northern Ireland to become the largest screen sector in the UK and Ireland outside of the southeast of England."

Subject to planning permission, construction will begin on phase two of the Belfast Harbour Film Studio complex later this year with completion scheduled in 2021.

(CM/MH)