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Valleywood work set for restart 'Valleywood' building work begins
(about 3 hours later)
Building work at the "Valleywood" film studios project near Bridgend is due to start on Monday. Building work at the so-called "Valleywood" film studios near Bridgend has begun.
The first stage of the £330m development will be built at Llanilid, near Llanharan, following delays caused by sewerage problems and bad weather.The first stage of the £330m development will be built at Llanilid, near Llanharan, following delays caused by sewerage problems and bad weather.
Developers said the initial phase of the Dragon International Ltd scheme would feature four film stages and work on a major access road. Developers said the initial phase of the Dragon International Ltd plan would feature four film stages and work on a major access road.
Construction on the first stage of the plan is set to finish by June 2008.Construction on the first stage of the plan is set to finish by June 2008.
Cofton Wales, the firm who will be carrying out the work, has said it will also install a major drainage system at the site, as well as bringing in primary utilities - power, water and gas.
The studios, which could create 1,700 jobs, are set to be built on the 317-acre site of a former opencast mine between Cardiff and Bridgend.
Rhondda Cynon Taf councillor Russell Roberts said he was delighted that "we will soon see buildings coming out of the ground at Llanilid".
Lord Richard Attenborough is involved in the project
"The council granted planning permission some time ago for this site, but it will be great to see the development kick started now with the stages and the other major infrastructure works," he said.
The scheme was granted outline planning permission by local authority Rhondda Cynon Taf Council in December 2003 and includes consent for a business park, hotel and leisure facilities in addition to the film studios.
Dr Brian Morgan, director of the Creative Leadership and Enterprise Centre at the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff, said it was good news the project was "getting off the ground".
"The fact it has taken this length of time to get in a position where the studios are actually being built is a good indication of the tremendous uncertainties and risks involved in the project," he said.
"These are the four first studios of a 12-studio complex - it is a very big project and to really be successful, you are going to have to woo the film producers and TV producers down from their bases in London."
He said the studios would need to offer "a very competitive product" and that investment in infrastructure and skills would be needed.
Industry
Earlier this year, the chairman of the Wales Film Agency said it was time for the consortium behind plans for the studio to "put up or shut up".
Oscar-winning actor and director Richard Attenborough, who has been the project chairman, said in January 2006 the scheme would "build studios that have not been seen for decades throughout the world".Oscar-winning actor and director Richard Attenborough, who has been the project chairman, said in January 2006 the scheme would "build studios that have not been seen for decades throughout the world".
Organisers claim the sound stages and TV studios will make south Wales a centre of the UK film industry.Organisers claim the sound stages and TV studios will make south Wales a centre of the UK film industry.
The Valleywood complex aims to bring 12 studios, including one of 30,000 sq ft and two of 20,000 sq ft to provide facilities for recording anything from a quiz show to a big screen blockbuster. We have talked about the film studios but there is also potential there for a theme park or attraction that would be an all-weather, 365-days-a-year theme park MP Huw Iranca Davies
The complex aims to bring 12 studios, including one of 30,000 sq ft and two of 20,000 sq ft to provide facilities for recording anything from a quiz show to a big screen blockbuster.
The studios, which could create 1,700 jobs, are set to be built on the 317-acre site of a former opencast mine between Cardiff and Bridgend.
The scheme was granted outline planning permission by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council in December 2003 and includes consent for a business park, hotel and leisure facilities in addition to the film studios.
Ogmore MP Huw Iranca Davies said any spin off developments would have to be properly served by an upgrading of the road network, including an the possibility of another motorway junction.
Lord Richard Attenborough is closely involved in the project
"We have talked about the film studios but there is also potential there for a theme park or attraction that would be an all-weather, 365-days-a-year theme park," he said.
"That sort of spin off certainly does put strain on the infrastructure but I have to give praise to Rhondda Cynon Taf council who have taken this project by the hand all the way through and have put everything in place."
Dr Brian Morgan, director of the Creative Leadership and Enterprise Centre at the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff, said it was good news the project was "getting off the ground"
But he warned the studios would need to offer "a very competitive product" to woo film and TV producers down from their bases in London.
Kath Ringwald from Newport Business School said the studios would also have a positive knock on effect on the local economy.
"For one job that the studio creates we are going to be creating another one in the subsidiary industries and small businesses in Wales desperately need this kind of stimulation," she said.
"It is a great opportunity for our young graduates who are currently leaving Wales to find jobs in the creative industries. Now we can keep them in Wales."