Planning granted for one of Europe's largest filmmaking studios
Early designs for Crown Works Studios in Sunderland, UK received the green light from Sunderland City Council this week, with the approval of its hybrid planning application.
The £450m development will deliver a brand-new film and television studio on the banks of the River Wear; putting the North East on the map as a major destination for film and high-end TV production and representing a significant investment in the UK’s creative industry.
The application included detailed planning for the construction of 20 premium soundstages with attached office buildings, production workshops, a gateway building and supporting infrastructure.
Once complete, the complex is estimated to attract global productions worth £644m a year, create over 8,000 new jobs in the region, and contribute £336m of economic growth (GVA) per year once running at full capacity.
Turner & Townsend's North East-based team has played a vital role in helping Sunderland City Council and FulwellCain (a joint venture between Fulwell 73 and Cain International) to reach this milestone with the provision of cost and project management services.
This work builds on a number of projects Turner & Townsend has undertaken for Sunderland City Council, including Sunderland’s Eye Infirmary, in addition to other film studios the company is working on across the country as the UK becomes a key contributor to the future growth of film and TV production.
Patrick Melia, Chief executive of Sunderland City Council, said:
“The level of ambition and the pace of change we are driving in Sunderland is unmatched in the UK, with developments transforming the place for our residents bringing jobs and prosperity in the process.
“I couldn’t be happier to see the film studio plans advancing. It will be brilliant to see the first phase take shape, and to watch local people benefit from the opportunities Crown Works will bring during construction as well as when it opens its doors.”
Julie Hunter, Associate Director, Turner & Townsend, Real Estate said:
We’re delighted to see Crown Works Studios reach such a significant milestone in its journey to becoming a trailblazing project for the UK’s creative industry and local economy. Not only will it enable the Northeast to play a far greater role in the future growth of the UK’s efforts in film production but it will be a catalyst for regeneration, creating thousands of jobs and skills opportunities for people living across the region and beyond.
"Our highly skilled team have played a fundamental role in getting this exciting project to this stage and we look forward to seeing the scheme unfold as a new home for Britain’s flourishing creative sector in the near future."
The project could see ground broken as early as this summer (2024) with the construction of the first six stages as part of Phase One. Completion of further phases are due to complete by 2028.
