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Move over Hollywood - here comes Dawdon
IT'S lights, camera, action for a Durham-based millionaire's plans for a £300m film studio.
Easington District Council has given its "wholehearted support" to ambitious plans for a film studio, two hotels and a university campus on agricultural land near Dawdon, south of Seaham.
It means feature-length films, TV shows and commercials could be coming out of the complex - dubbed "Dawdonwood" - within a decade.
The Centre for Creative Excellence is the idea of Coolmore Estates, a consortium of investors and developers headed by former Seaham Hall Hotel owner Tom Maxfield.
It is thought up to 2,400 jobs could be created.
Mr Maxfield said: "Ten years ago, when I started to develop Seaham Hall, most people dismissed it as a flight of fancy. The creation of the only five-star hotel and Michelin star restaurant in the North-East, as well as an award-winning spa, has completely altered the perception of the region and brought with it a sense of pride and confidence.
"I have no doubt that the Centre for Creative Excellence will have a similarly positive impact. It embraces vision, passion, ambition and determination, and will attract attention from all over the world. A project like this deserves to succeed and has my full support."
Rob Smith, planning consultant for Coolmore, said the project would have "unparalleled benefits" for the district and region. He said: "I would describe this as unique, not only in the North-East, but the UK as a whole. It is possibly the most exciting development being proposed in the North-East at this time."
Coun Alan Napier, leader of Easington council, said: "This is the biggest thing this district will ever see. It's great news, not just for the district of Easington, but across the county, the region and nationally."
The complex would occupy a 72-hectare site east of the A19. As well as a film studio, the proposal includes a 150-bed four-star hotel, a 48-bed business hotel, parklands and a campus for up to 2,000 students, linked to the University of Sunderland and East Durham and Houghall Community College.
It would require an initial private sector investment of £192m and could be worth £60m to the North-East economy every year. The scheme will be referred to the Government Office North-East for final consideration. Coolmore hopes to begin building the complex - a five-year project - within two years.
Many jobs created would be open to North-East residents and Mr Maxfield said he would be happy to talk with the British Horse Society over its call for a bridleway through the site to be preserved.
Stephen Harris, from Durham University's sci-fi society, who spoke in favour of the project, said: "We could be writing the stories to help the scriptwriters. It's brilliant."
8:31am Friday 16th May 2008
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