Wicklow abolishes development levies for film-makers to help studios

Wicklow County Council is to stop seeking development contributions from film studios seeking to expand or set up in the county.

The council hopes its decision will encourage further development of studio facilities in Wicklow.

Development contributions are usually paid to local authorities in respect of planning permissions where the applicant benefits from council infrastructure such as roads.

Films and television series made in Wicklow in recent years include Braveheart and Excalibur. Most recently the successful TV series, Penny Dreadful and Vikings, which are filmed at Ardmore and Ashford respectively, have provided significant employment, injecting an estimated €70 million into the local economy,

The audio visual content production sector is worth €550 million annually to the State and employs 6,000 people directly.

The council’s decision to abolish development levies for the industry represents a saving for successful applicants of €10,000 per 25,000sq ft.

Councillors also agreed to make a case to Government for raising the cap on the section 481 tax scheme for film-makers, and an extension of the scheme to 2026.