Irish film is a multi-million euro industry, employing thousands of people. Hammerlake Studios will build Ireland’s most significant purpose-built sustainable film and television campus as part of this growing sector.
The proposed development will house a world-class international film studio campus to produce high-end TV and film. The total site area is 7.11 hectares. It will incorporate an administration and office block of 4 and 5 storeys (10,388 sq m) and four film/TV sound studios across two blocks (5,330 sq m and 5,068 sq m). A workshop/prop complex (5,142 sq m) is also proposed, primarily for constructing sets and props associated with the film/TV productions.
Hammerlake Studios commissioned the ORS Infrastructure Team to conduct a traffic and transport assessment (TTA) relating to the new film studio development at Robinstown, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath.
The purpose of the traffic assessment was to address the traffic and transport-related issues that may arise in relation to the proposal by Hammerlake Studios Ltd to construct the studio to the northeast of Lough Sheever Corporate Park off the R394.
Project challenges
Bespoke and robust service
This development is unique to Ireland. The challenge was to establish the impact of traffic volumes associated with the development, considering its uniqueness.
The main objective of the TTA was to assess the impact the proposed development will have on the surrounding road network. The assessment focused primarily on the Robinstown roundabout, located off Castlepollard Road (R394) to the south of the site.
The solution from the ORS team was to develop a model for the proposed development, which considered adjacent ongoing and future developments to assess the potential worst-case scenarios associated with the studio development. Such developments included:
The extension to a giant retail neighbouring site which was undergoing construction
A mixed-use development opposite a major road junction
A residential development south of the site
And the planning application submitted for the department of a regional hospital.
All these developments created an added complexity to the analysis, which the ORS had to consider. The level of expertise and experience with TTAs equipped the team with the tools and skills to deliver a bespoke and robust service to the client.
ORS was appointed by Avenir Homes Ltd. to provide infrastructure services for the Green Quarter Strategic Housing Development planning application in Co. Westmeath.
ORS was appointed by Channor Group to provide specialist guidance in mobility management and traffic impacts as part of a planning application for the construction of two office blocks.
ORS was commissioned by Meath County Council and the National Transport Authority to design and construct bus shelters at a number of existing bus stop locations throughout County Meath.