Plans for major film studio in Yorkshire revealed

Screen Yorkshire said an application for change of use of the site had been submitted to Selby District Council

Plans to build a major new film and television studio on a former RAF base in North Yorkshire have been unveiled.

Screen Yorkshire said Yorkshire Studios would put the region on an "equal footing with other key production UK centres".

If given council backing, more than 100,000 sq ft of air hangar space would be transformed.

Screen Yorkshire chief executive Sally Joynson said it was hoped filming could start at the facility this year.

The Leeds-based screen agency, which supports television, film, computer game and digital content projects across the region, said it would boost Yorkshire's "burgeoning film and TV infrastructure".

'Fly in A-listers'

Ms Joynson said several film production companies had already shown an interest in using the site.

The plan is being financed and developed by Screen Yorkshire and property investors Makin Enterprises, which owns the former RAF base.

The RAF site, rebranded as Leeds East Airport, already operates as commercial airfield.

Ms Joynson said the agency had worked closely with Makin Enterprises to make sure this would not conflict with the studio.

She said: "The fact that flights are operating there represents a major opportunity in terms of being able to fly A-listers in."

The region's reputation as a base for major film and TV projects has gathered momentum following the launch of the Yorkshire Content Fund in 2012.

The fund has invested more than £21m into Yorkshire's economy through location-based dramas including Peaky Blinders, Dad's Army and Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell.