Film studio construction could start in autumn
SuppliedConstruction of a city's new film studio could start in the autumn.
The final details of Studio One at Crown Works in Sunderland have been set out in a planning application submitted to the city's planning authority.
The facility, on the banks of the Wear, will have three sound stages, production accommodation, backlot space and a car park. The WH Foster Printworks building will also be refurbished as part of the plans.
Officials behind the scheme said the site had already been prepared and building work was expected to begin in the autumn if planning permission was secured.
Sunderland City Council leader Councillor Chris Eynon said it was an "exciting step forward".
The scheme is backed by £38.5m of public money from the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority, which Mayor Kim McGuinness said would help ensure there were "jobs for local people on their doorstep".
"This planning permission is the last hurdle to bringing world-class film and TV shows to the North East and I'm excited to see construction start," she added.
The original £450m privately funded plans had included 19 studios, but were later scaled down to two after investors pulled out.
Phase one of the development aims to kick off the process of building the site gradually, with further public and private sector backing expected to expand the complex.
