Planning approval has been granted for the expansion of Sky Studios Elstree, Sky’s state-of-the-art film and TV studio, financed and developed by L&G.
The approval allows for a further 10 stages to the complex located in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire. The development is expected to create over 2,000 jobs and attract £2 billion of production investment to the UK within the first five years of operation.
It means Sky Studios Elstree, already one of Europe’s leading production hubs, will grow to 22 stages across 65 acres for a total of 470,000 sq ft of premium stage space for filming.
Since opening in 2022, Sky Studios Elstree has already hosted a string of global blockbuster productions and hit TV productions, including Wicked starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, Paddington in Peru, and Jurassic World: Rebirth. Sky Originals have also made the studio their home, from festive drama Bad Tidings and comedy Mr Bigstuff to A League of Their Own, The Unofficial Science of, and a raft of Sky commercials.
“The UK’s media and entertainment sector is a global powerhouse, and the expansion of Sky Studios Elstree will elevate it even further, creating thousands of jobs and opening doors for the next generation of British talent,” said Dana Strong, Group CEO, Sky. “With the government’s continued support through business rates relief and film and TV tax incentives, our creative economy is poised to be a driving force of UK growth.”
The original site was financed through L&G’s annuity portfolio, which deploys capital into infrastructure projects to generate income to support long-term pension commitments whilst driving regional regeneration and delivering long-term job creation.
António Simões, Group CEO, L&G, said: “The approval of the next phase of development at Sky Studios Elstree is welcome news for the local area and the UK’s creative industries and sends a strong signal that shows the UK is serious about growth.”
The project sets some of the world’s most ambitious studio sustainability standards, featuring solar panels on every rooftop, energy-efficient LED lighting, and a fully electric vehicle fleet – all of which will also be incorporated into the expansion. The site is also home to Sky Up Academy Studios Elstree, a pioneering immersive learning hub where young people aged 11 to 18 gain hands-on experience in the diverse roles and career opportunities within the TV and film industry.
