A WAREHOUSE in Newport could be transformed into a film studio for the filming of a new eight-part TV series in a development, creating up to 120 jobs.
Urban Myth Films, whose productions include BBC One's Atlantis - previously filmed in Chepstow - are seeking to use the former Carlsberg UK industrial warehouse on Queensway Meadows Industrial Estate, Newport, as a film set for an initial five-year period.
The production company, set up by International Emmy award-winning producers Johnny Capps and Julian Murphy and BAFTA award-winning writer Howard Overman, say the new series will have international sales and plan for it to return.
"Urban Myth Films seek new premises for the creation of sets and shooting of internal scenes for a new eight-part TV series, commissioned by Canal Plus," a planning statement submitted to Newport City Council says.
Under the plans the existing office space will be used by the art department office, and the warehouse space will be used for production, prop and costume storage.
The proposal would create a "significant number" of jobs at the unit with up to 120 people on site.
The workforce will include the production team, art department, costume and make-up team, the camera and sound crew, alongside the principal cast and supporting artists.
During peak time up to 120 people will be on site, including two crews, actors and extras.
Jonathan Moody, on behalf of the creative industries sector of Welsh Government, said they were 'fully supportive' of the plans as "facilitating inward investment projects to produce high end TV series in Wales, very much aligns with our sector’s strategic priorities", according to the planning statement.
The application is to turn the warehouse into a TV studio for five years before reverting it to previous use.
The planning statement adds: "The series will have international sales and therefore there is a hope that the series will return, however due to the nature of the film industry, there is inevitable uncertainty with regards to future contracts.
"As such, we are seeking a temporary change of use to test the viability of the venture."
The stars of Atlantis (from left) Jack Donnelly, Robert Emms, and Mark Addy (Picture: Little Monster Films/ Nick Briggs)
Urban Myth Films were behind the fantasy drama Atlantis which had viewing figures on more than nine million for the opening episode on BBC One and which was shown on BBC America with the channel receiving the highest ever viewing figures for a season premier.
The show was previosuly filmed in Chepstow, at Newhouse Farm Industrial Estate, in 2013 and 2014.
Another empty warehouse was converted into a large studio at the time, with two green green stages where interior and exterior sequences were filmed before being enhanced by CGI.
The Monmouthshire filming base was then sold on for £14 million.
The Newport warehouse, located on the 200-acre industrial estate off Nash Mead, has been empty since Carlsberg left in December of last year.
View the plans at newport.gov.uk, searching reference 18/0682.
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