BRADFORD has welcomed the development of a major new studio space in the county, which it's hoped will deliver a significant boost to the region’s burgeoning film and TV infrastructure.

Screen Yorkshire has secured the rights to develop the facility in a drive to put the region on an equal footing with other key UK production centres.

The film content financier plans to use more than 100,000 sq ft of air hangar space for film and TV production.

The director of Bradford City of Film David Wilson welcomed the move.

He said: "This is obviously good news for the region in terms of capacity to respond to ever increasing production requests.

"We will continue to with closely with Screen Yorkshire in the coming months and offer the support of the Bradford Film Office where appropriate.

"I remain convinced that there are opportunities for smaller scale production facilities, as well as post production and back office functions in Bradford in addition to us providing stunning location support.

"Bradford City of Film will be working with Screen Yorkshire to actively help promote this regional facility on a worldwide scale to the film and TV sector."

Bradford is the world’s first UNESCO City of Film, meaning it has international recognition as a world centre for film because of the city’s rich film heritage, its inspirational movie locations and its annual film festivals.

In a deal with property investors Makin Enterprises, owners of the former RAF site in Church Fenton, Screen Yorkshire is now able to offer the much-needed infrastructure and finance for a wider range of productions.

Alongside current work with partners to establish a workforce development programme, the new Yorkshire Studios mean the region is fully equipped for a new wave of film and TV making.

The flexible site is capable of meeting a broad range of production needs, comprising of three aircraft hangars, office space, garages, workshops, extensive parking, roadways and runways.

Yorkshire’s reputation as a base for large scale film and TV projects has gathered significant momentum, following the launch of the Yorkshire Content Fund in 2012. More than £21 million has been injected into the region’s economy, primarily through location-based dramas backed by the Fund, including several made in the Bradford district such as Peaky Blinders and Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell.

Screen Yorkshire aims to generate further investment for the regional economy and workforce via Yorkshire Studios, which it hopes will act as a linchpin for larger scale and returning productions.

Sally Joynson, the Chief Executive at Screen Yorkshire, said: "The opening of Yorkshire Studios is a significant landmark for the UK film and TV industry. The Yorkshire Content Fund has enabled us to secure some incredible projects that have made great use of our existing portfolio of studio space.

"The lack of a larger-scale production facility however, has prevented a number of major long-term film and TV productions from basing themselves here. These productions hold huge potential for sustaining the industry’s infrastructure and workforce, so it became clear that securing such a site should be a priority."