Pay-parking arrangements for Glendalough begin this Saturday
ASHFORD Studios has lodged an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to ease concerns Wicklow County Council has over plans for a proposed €90 million extension.
The project is predicted to create up to 1,500 film and television sector jobs, with plans set to include the construction of four new 40,000sq ft. film studios. The plans also include a television studio, studio offices, a visitor centre and an expanded car park intended to include over 600 car and 100 bus spaces.
The EIS maintains that phase two of the development is necessary to prevent a drop in revenue for Ashford Studios. Phase one of the studios is occupied by the hit TV show ‘Vikings’ for eight months of the year.
The EIS states: ‘This is not a sustainable rhythm and activities can’t be rolled out in this manner.’ Phase two will allow for ‘constant roll-outs of the studio and prevents a drop in revenue of the management company and a drop in activities in the nearby town of Ashford.’
‘The second phase allows for continual production of film making without valley periods. The need for film studios in Ireland is increasing... The lack of production turnover in the studio has demonstrated the need to expand the current facilities,’ according to the EIS.
A decision on the plan is due in March. In October 2015, Wicklow County Council agreed to no longer seek development contributions from film studios seeking to expand in the county. THE OPW have announced the parking arrangements which will be put in place at the Glendalough Visitor Centre for 2018, starting this weekend.
Contractors acting on the OPW’s behalf will commence the paid-admission operation of the car park from Saturday, February 17, and will collect €4 per car to use the facility. Visitors to the Glendalough Visitor Centre will be refunded this charge when they purchase admission to the Centre.
Tour operator buses using the carpark to visit the centre or the monastic site won’t be charged, but all other buses will be charged €25. The fee drops to €15 for minibuses with less than 20 seats and camper vans.
The parking arrangements for cars on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays from February 17 to May 27 and then from September 1 to October 29 inclusive. Admission for daily car parking starts from March 26 to April 6 and during the months of June, July and August.
Paid parking for buses starts on Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays from March 17 to October 29 and daily for the months of June, July and August.