Plans submitted for 'world-class' city film and TV hub

Plans for a “world-class” North East film and television production hub have moved forward.

Developers have submitted a blueprint to create Studio One at Crown Works, in Sunderland.

Earmarked for land next to the River Wear, officials say the “regionally and nationally important project” will help “turbo-charge” the North East’s creative sector.

Construction of the building – planned to feature three sound stages and production accommodation – could start in the autumn.

The proposed development sits within the wider Crown Works Growth Zone and has been backed by more than £38 million from North East mayor Kim McGuinness.

Bosses say 178,000sq ft of film and television production space will be created in the first phase of Crown Works, adding the development will have capacity to host “blockbuster” films and smaller screen projects, as well as live events and gameshows.

Councillor Chris Eynon, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “This is an exciting step forward that will take this from vision to reality.  

“Sunderland has a long and proud history as a city of makers. 

“People here are not only creative, they’re also industrious and that combination means there could be no better place to accelerate the region’s ambitions when it comes to unlocking the potential of our creative industries.”

The studio plans form part of the mayor McGuinness-led North East Mayoral Strategic Authority’s culture, creative industries and sport strategy, which the organisation says will drive growth across the music, film, screen and writing and publishing sub-sectors.

Mayor McGuinness added: “We’re on the verge of blockbuster films and smash-hit television being filmed on the banks of the River Wear.

“Planning permission is the last hurdle to bringing world-class film and television shows to the North East, and I’m excited to see construction start.”

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