Action! Hertsmere Borough Council gives go-ahead for redevelopment of part of BBC Elstree Studios site

Plans to redevelop part of the BBC Elstree Studios site in Hertfordshire have been given the green light.

Under the proposals unanimously approved by Hertsmere Borough Council’s planning committee, much of the site will be demolished and replaced with a modern film and TV studio, including five sound stages, three workshops, a backlot, an office building and a multi-storey car park.

The part of the site – which first opened as a studio in 1914 – to be redeveloped has been bought by AXA and Oxygen Studios and, once built, will be known as Fairbanks Studios while the other part of the site – used as the EastEnders set – continues to be owned by the BBC and will remain in situ.

Cllr Jeremy Newmark, Labour leader of the borough council, said the approval was “fantastic news for the continuing growth of Hertsmere’s creative sector”.

“It’s a huge boost for our local economy that will bring new jobs to the area,” he said.

“On taking up leadership of the council, we committed to bringing a new wave of growth to this sector that underpins our local economy.

“With this significant development, the recent deal between Elstree Film Studios and MBS Global and the continued growth of Sky Elstree, we are seeing this vision come to life.”

Fairbanks Studios is expected to bring more than 700 jobs to the area once operational, with £28.5 million added yearly to the local economy.

According to officers, the proposals include “a nod to the art deco history of the site” with elements of it “carried through” into the new design.

The redevelopment will involve demolishing three locally listed buildings within the site, but council officers deemed that the benefits of the scheme outweighed its harms.

Jonathan Greenfield, chief executive officer of Oxygen Studios, said its proposals “secure the future of this historic site while supporting Hertsmere’s creative industry”.

He told councillors: “The site as it stands is no longer viable. Ageing buildings, infrastructure and limited facilities mean it is no longer attractive to modern productions.

“Our scheme addresses this with purpose-built sound stages, offices, workshops and high-quality green spaces, highlighting a sustainable approach.

“This will help attract top-tier productions to Elstree and Borehamwood, creating significant new opportunities locally.”

The plans received broad backing from councillors at the planning committee meeting on Thursday September 18.

Cllr Maxie Allen said: “The present studios have seen better days and possibly aren’t as attractive to the industry as they might have been a few generations ago.

“This is an extremely welcome proposition to which I’ll give my full support. It’s really fantastic to see a company invest so much in this site to preserve and maintain filmmaking and TV making in the heart of this borough, maintaining a tradition that has gone on for more than a century.”

Cllr Christian Gray said: “It’s going to add real value to the town. You meet so many people in this borough who have got a connection to film and TV going back generations, but with Fairbanks Studios, with Elstree Film Studios and with Sky Studios now, we’re going to create those generations going forward who will have a job and a passion for high-quality film and TV in the borough.”

Cllr Glenn Briski said it would ensure the site “continues to deliver world-famous productions for the next century”, while Cllr Marc Amron described it as a “really fantastic project”.