A FORMER bus depot is to be turned into one of the largest film studios outside London.

Cleveland College of Art and Design (CCAD) is turning the former Lynn Street depot in Hartlepool into a film and TV production hub.

CCAD is working with Hartlepool Borough Council to develop the 5,000sq ft studios, which they hope will bring national and international productions to the area.

The proposal forms part of the wider expansion of the specialist art college, with its £11m new teaching and learning studios opening this year.

Pat Chapman, head of employability and external relations at CCAD, said: “As film and TV production has moved out of the south and south east of England in recent years, we have seen so much more production happening in the north and north east.

“With its beaches, countryside, industrial and urban areas and heritage all within a short distance, the idea of developing the empty Hartlepool building as a commercial space makes total sense.

The former vehicle depot site will include two sound stages around 20m by 50m, plus workshop space of a similar size.

The building features wide open spaces for set construction, which will be used for a sound stage with a lattice roof ,which will allow the hanging of lighting rigs and other equipment.

Mr Chapman added: “There is currently no similar dedicated facility north of the M62 corridor in the same scale and very little outside of the south of England, that is on a comparable scale.

“There is a real need to provide a supply of skilled and trained crew and encourage them to stay in the region, so our role is providing the skilled people.

“This we feel will help anchor productions within the north east region and would bring direct economic benefits to the town."