Black Hangar Studios, the UK”s newest studio facility, has officially opened its doors for business.

A 32,000 square-foot facility in Basingstoke, Black Hangar was designed by Simon Lamont and Digby Milner and is one of only two UK sites offering water filming facilities via a 5,000 sq.ft water tank. It is also home to departments that can design, plan and construct sets for use both at the facility, as well as when filming on location.

Commenting on the launch, Black Hangar CEO Carole Siller said: “We have incorporated our expertise from years of working on blockbuster films to create a facility we feel has everything a filmmaker could need under one roof, and we are keen to tailor our services for each client so they receive the exact experience they require.”

The UK gets more Hollywood production than any other territory outside the US. This is one reason why the studio sector is so dynamic right now (another being the funding support the industry receives from the National Lottery). Aside from Black Hangar, this year will also see the revamp and relaunch of Leavesden Studios under Warner Bros ownership. Pinewood Shepperton is also in expansionist mood while Elstree has just reported recorded profits for the last year. Not to be overlooked either is 3 Mills Studios, whose recent movie credits include Attack The Block and Made in Dagenham.

Black Hangar is around 40 minutes outside London. However it is also next door to Lasham Airfield, which will provide helicopter access for resident productions.

Having designed the facility, Lamont and Milner stay on as head of art and production services and head of special FX. Other key personnel include chairman Alex Worrall and Hamish McAlpine, who is a consultant.