Approval granted for 236,000 sq ft phase one development
Hammerlake Studios has received planning approval from Westmeath County Council for the first phase of its development.
It is still subject to a material contravention of the County Development Plan, with elected members of the council to vote on final permission in September.
Hammerlake Studios plans to create Ireland’s biggest film studios on a 25-acre site at Lough Sheever Corporate Park, Mullingar, Co Westmeath - 55 minutes from Dublin Airport.
Phase one of the development will see a four sound stage, 236,000 sq ft facility built with an administrative building, workshops, data technology centres, editing rooms, food, fitness and other amenities. Construction is estimated to take 12 months with film production to commence from the first quarter of 2024 and 350 production jobs and 300 construction jobs to be created.
Meanwhile, phase two will go forward for planning permission in summer 2023 and aims to see an additional seven studios added, bringing the total footprint to 460,000 sq ft. One of the seven studios would be a virtual reality stage. Hammerlake estimates it will create a minimum of 1,000 production jobs upon full commencement of phase two operations in 2025.
Sustainability is part of Hammerlake Studios’ design, which includes insulated building fabric to decrease heat loss, mechanical and smart technology systems to ensure minimal operational energy consumption, water saving and harvesting equipment, low power density lighting and electric vehicle charging. In addition, Solar panels on site will reduce grid dependency, while any required electricity will be from green sources.
Paul Chesney, CEO of Hammerlake Studios, said: “We are excited by the decision by Westmeath County Council to grant us planning in principle. It represents a significant step forward in our plans to build a world class film and content production facility in Mullingar, one capable of accommodating the biggest and best film productions.
“The Hammerlake Studios campus will showcase the beauty and welcome of Ireland and its local community, along with the scale and landscape of a vibrant working studio, where content makers will want to work time and time again. Ours will not just be a functional service oriented working studio, but a destination that delivers everything a production entity will ever need, from creative support, technology and equipment, secure data capabilities, along with first class catering and off-stage filming capability all in one campus.
“As new broadcast platforms continue to announce international expansion plans, it’s an exciting time to be part of this industry and our chosen destination is primed to be a lead player and preferred option for content makers everywhere.”
Tom Dowling, director of development and studio operations at Hammerlake Studios, added: “We sincerely thank our design team and everyone who has assisted us in making the planning application. Our plans have received tremendous support from the local Chamber of Commerce, political leaders and the Westmeath County Council.
“While Ireland has three relatively large studio facilities in the Republic of Ireland, the global demand for studio space has been exceptionally high in recent years. Mullingar’s close proximity to Dublin, its excellent road and rail network, the young workforce and the range of quality hotels matched our criteria for the location of our new sustainable and green film campus.
“While Ireland’s audio-visual sector industry has enormous growth potential, skills and talent development are crucial to its continued success. In tandem with developing our new studio, we will facilitate a series of information evenings from September to identify people in the region with a transferable skillset and arrange training in conjunction with training agencies. Hammerlake Studios presents an incredible opportunity for Mullingar and we can’t wait to start.”
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