Council officials unaware of film studios move

OFFICIALS of Wicklow County Council were unaware that allegations were being made that the location of Ardmore Studios in Bray could be moved unless a controversial rezoning proposal was adopted.

A spokesperson for the council confirmed yesterday that submissions by two different councillors to change the rezoning of 172-acres of farmland at Ballyhenry, near Ashford, contained no reference to Ardmore Studios.

It follows claims by architects acting on behalf of the landowner, Joe O'Connell, that the film studios were intending to move to the site near Ashford. A letter sent by Rowe McGill Architects of Rathmines, Dublin, to members of Wicklow County Council earlier this year claimed that approaches had been made by rival interests to attract the film studio to another location in Co Kildare. It warned that the benefits of the film industry could be lost to Wicklow if councillors didn't support the rezoning.