Developer Scotch Corner Richmond is set to lodge plans this month for a £200m Rolls-Royce manufacturing facility and a film studio on land next to its designer outlet in North Yorkshire.
Rolls-Royce indicated earlier this year that it has shortlisted Scotch Corner for a circa 247,570 sq ft factory, with a further 33,370 sq ft of ancillary support offices. It is touted to be the first of three locations that it is seeking to establish in the UK to manufacture parts for its small modular reactor programme. That aims to increase the availability of low-cost, clean energy.
The developer said the car manufacturer recently visited the site and if selected, the facility is likely to be the largest of its kind in the UK.
Separately, the developer said it was in “active discussions with a major UK film production company” over a film and television studio facility measuring nearly 330,000 sq ft.
Both outline planning applications will be filed with Richmondshire District Council. Combined, the schemes would bring an estimated £350m of new investment to the area and create about 1,300 new jobs.
The proposals also include an extension to Scotch Corner Designer Village, measuring nearly 134,000 sq ft. This includes new shops as well as parking.
The designer outlet is scheduled to open at the end of 2023, alongside a £16m Blue Diamond home and garden centre measuring around 159,000 sq ft.
Laurence Beardmore, president of York and 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.”
A decision on the proposals is expected in the first quarter of 2023.
Scotch Corner Richmond was set up by developer Simon Waterfield and co-founder Peter Mullen. So far it has invested £20m in the groundworks and infrastructure required for the outlets and the garden centre, with the main £90m construction contract due to be signed this month.
The outlet village will include around 80 brands, including Hugo Boss, Tommy Hilfiger, Levi’s and Calvin Klein. Its restaurant and café line-up will include Wagamama.
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