Plans are underway for a new film and television studio to be built on the banks of The River Medina on the Isle of Wight. 

Yesterday (10 November) the Isle of Wight Council agreed to sell the site at Kingston Marine Park to Medina Studios Ltd.

Situated in East Cowes, the new facility will comprise four sounds stages, totalling 70,000 sq. ft., along with all production support space including workshops and office facilities.

Built on 16 acres of river frontage, the site will be home to the Isle of Wight’s first screen-based media hub.

Medina Studios said in a statement that the site will be ”nestled amongst woodland, clifftops, beaches, historic villages, period houses… and will benefit from copious amounts of filming locations on its doorstep.”

Co-chairman of Independent Talent Group, Duncan Heath; former director of International Operations of the Pinewood Group, David Godfrey; and managing director of Datasat Media, Neil Blewett agree it is opportune timing to attract high end TV dramas and feature films to the area.

Heath said: “I’ve been in this business a long time and been lucky enough to be involved with some of the largest feature and television productions. But I have to say this is one of the most exciting projects I’ve ever been involved with.”

Godfrey said: “We are fully committed to this project and are confident that Medina Studios will attract a variety of productions who wish to base themselves on the Island.

“The studio lot will offer stages and support for traditional production needs, technical filming and weather cover for the many productions currently utilising the Island’s wonderful and varied locations.”

Blewett added: “Our aim is to make the studios digitally future proofed by understanding the latest production technology requirements. We will harness the latest camera workflow technology and provide ultrafast broadband to ensure seamless connectivity to global media hubs, including London and Hollywood.”

This article first appeared on our sister site, KFTV.

Image credit: Newsquest.