Sky plans major TV and film studio at Elstree

Sky is planning to build a 32-acre TV and film studio in Elstree, Hertfordshire.

Sky Studios Elstree is being built with the backing of the pay-TV giant’s owner Comcast and in partnership with sister company NBC Universal. Legal & General will develop the site and provide financing.

Sky said the studios will house 14 sound stages, leading to the creation of more than 2000 jobs and helping generate an additional £3bn of production investment in the UK’s creative economy during the first five years of operation.

Subject to planning consent, the 32-acre development is expected to open in 2022 and will be able to host the production of several films and TV shows simultaneously, with each of the 14 sound stages covering over 20,000 sq ft.

The site will include production offices, a set construction workshop, a screening cinema and post-production and digital facilities.

The creation of Sky Studios Elstree will provide much needed space at a time when producers are struggling to find studios in the UK for high end TV and film productions.

It will allow Sky Studios to produce more original content in-house, as it pushes towards a £1bn-per-year content target within five years.

The new studio space will also play host to film productions from Universal Pictures, Focus Features and Working Title, and television series from NBC Universal Content Studios. It will have capacity to host productions from third party producers.

Sky Studios Elstree will be located in the borough of Hertsmere. Legal & General is in the process of finalising a design of the scheme and expect to submit a formal planning application early next year.

Chief executive Jeremy Darroch said: “Sky Studios Elstree will play a pivotal role in bringing the wealth of UK and European talent and creativity to the world. We know our customers love our award-winning Sky Originals like Chernobyl and our investment in Sky Studios Elstree will enable us to bring more unique stories to more viewers.

“We are proud to be working with our colleagues at NBC Universal and Comcast, and our partners Hertsmere Borough Council and L&G to bring this project to life. Together we share a joint vision to create a world-leading production capability that will support the creation of thousands of jobs in the creative sector. We can’t wait to get started.”

Roger Morris, managing director of Elstree Studios, said: “Sky Studios Elstree will be of immense importance to the UK film and television industry – it will not only boost the local economy of Hertsmere and Hertfordshire, but will also have a major impact on the UK’s creative sector as a whole.

“We are extremely proud that Sky Studios Elstree has chosen to locate near us and we look forward to working closely with them.”