A public consultation into plans for a £450m North East film studio which its founders say could create thousands of jobs has been launched.
FulwellCain Studios – a joint venture between global entertainment company Fulwell 73 and Cain International – first unveiled plans for its plans for Crown Works Studios in Sunderland in February, saying the studio could become one of the largest in Europe. Plans have now moved to a public consultation stage, with the Newcastle office of planning consultancy Lichfields driving the process, which comes ahead of the formal planning application for the site, which covers 1.66m square foot hub in Pallion.
When it was unveiled by FulwellCain Studios and strategic partner Sunderland City Council, estimates from consultants at Saffery Champness and Nordicity said the proposed development could bolster regional economic growth, generating £336m for the local economy every year and promote levelling up by generating 8,450 employment opportunities in the North East within the next decade, with a number of sound stages suitable for major feature film and television productions.
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If they go ahead, the studios would include 19 premium sound stages, offices, workshops, a vendor village, and a backlot, with the infrastructure needed to support everything from major productions to smaller scale projects.
The scheme would require significant financial support from the Government to go ahead, but is proposed to be delivered in three phases, with construction set to start in 2024 and the final phase set to complete by 2027. Planners and Sunderland City Council believe the studios will cultivate an eco-system on a scale not seen since Nissan’s investment in Sunderland in the 1980s, while meeting the growing demand for studio space in the UK.
Leo Pearlman, partner of Fulwell 73 – the company behind The Kardashians, Friends: the Reunion, and Sunderland Til I Die – said: “Fulwell is a company built on family and the North East is embedded in our DNA. For over 100 years my family had a business here in Sunderland and called this great city home and I really believe in the opportunities for the screen industry to invest in our beloved North East region.
“Through delivering the studios, we will create a long-term production industry infrastructure, contributing to the local economy in the North East, attract even more significant high-end production to the UK and ensuring that future generations of North Eastern talent with all skill sets can develop and prosper at home within the region.”
The move comes as a number of regeneration schemes unfold on Wearside, including the Sheepfolds leisure site, work at Keel Square and on the Riverside Sunderland site.
Lynda Newsome, associate director at the Lichfields Newcastle office, said: “This is a prestigious project that will create thousands of jobs, economic prosperity and put the region on the map as an international centre for broadcast and film production. It also heralds the continued dramatic transformation of Sunderland’s Riverside area, so we are extremely keen to hear the views of as many local people and stakeholders as possible before final plans are submitted.”
Coun Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, added: “The public’s reaction to the initial announcement was incredible. I think people in the city recognise very clearly this development’s potential to totally transform our economy – and the way in which this will deliver a shot in the arm for the whole of the North East. We’re looking forward to gathering feedback from residents over the next few weeks, that will feed into a full planning application which will pave the way for delivery subject to Government support.”
Lichfields is seeking views via a digital consultation, which is live until June 23 at www.crownworks.co.uk.Exhibition boards are on display at City Hall, Plater Way, Sunderland until June 23 and feedback can also be emailed to crownworks@lichfields.uk by June 30.
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