London borough gives green light to film studio

Barking and Dagenham Council has approved plans to build London’s largest film studios in the borough.

The plans for the film studios six world class sound stages totalling c.140,000 sqft (1x 30,000 sqft and 5x 22,000 sqft) and flexible accommodation adjacent to the sound stages for uses such as production offices, hair and makeup or dressing rooms.

Around 1,200 jobs are projected to be created in the studios and associated supply chain, and key sustainability measures incorporated within the design including green roofs.

Council leader, Cllr Darren Rodwell (pictured) said it was a ‘momentous’ decision by the borough’s planning committee.

‘This is a huge decision for the borough. It gives the green light to what will be London’s largest film studios, so it’s a major milestone in the renewal of a part of London badly hit by de-industrialisation and austerity,’ said Cllr Rodwell.

‘The new Dagenham studios sit alongside one of the largest data centres in the UK and the UCL’s innovative PEARL project, and there are also plans to relocate the City of London’s wholesale markets to a site nearby. This will mean thousands of jobs and educational opportunities for local people.

‘So, where once Dagenham was known for Ford’s and factories, we will be making films and a new bright new future for our borough and its residents.’

Lisa Dee, Head of Film LBBD, said: ‘Barking and Dagenham is already a magnet for movie makers. Two of the UK’s biggest features were filmed in Dagenham last year – Black Widow by Marvel and Morbius by Sony Pictures (to be released) – contributing to the £1.742 billion total UK inward investment from feature films for last year.

‘And, as London is moving a lot of work east, we are finding more crew and production workers are living in east, south-east and north London areas, so we’re on their doorstep, which makes Dagenham studios a great geographical fit for the existing and the next generation of crew and creatives.’

Photo Credit – Barking and Dagenham Council