Khan approves Dagenham film studio plans

London mayor Sadiq Khan has backed plans to create a new film studio in Dagenham. The plans will see six sound stages covering 140,000 sq ft, 85,200 sq ft of production offices, and 174,500 sq ft of set construction workshops built on former industrial land in Yewtree Avenue. It will be delivered by regeneration firm Be First, which took over the plans last October after Californian developer Pacifica Ventures backed out of the scheme due to uncertainty over Brexit. The plans were approved by Barking & Dagenham Council’s planning committee last month. Khan said: “These spectacular new studios in Dagenham East will be a huge boost for the borough, the industry and our city. “Our culture and creative industries have been significantly impacted by Covid-19, but our successful film and TV industries can play a key role in our economic recovery. “These new studios will cement our position as a global capital for film and television, create 1,200 jobs, and show the world that London is open to creativity – and always will be.” Pat Hayes, managing director of Be First, added: “We’ve had a great deal of interest in the studio site and it’s clear that demand for studio space remains high in spite of the recession. We’re now assessing our delivery options and we expect to make a further announcement late in the autumn. It’s clear that this could be a huge jobs generator for the capital, despite the otherwise gloomy economic outlook.” To send feedback, e-mail louise.dransfield@egi.co.uk or tweet @DransfieldL or @estatesgazette Photo © Be First