Council approves masterplan setting out £1bn Camden Film Quarter, set to create one of Europe’s most significant creative industry districts
A council in London is set to approve a £1bn regeneration project intended to create a film and television production campus of global significance in the heart of the capital.
Camden Council has resolved to grant planning permission for Camden Film Quarter, which proposes 11 state-of-the-art purpose-built sound stages, production and post production facilities, creative workspace, specialist education, new homes including 50% affordable housing, along with public parks and community infrastructure in a single integrated masterplan.
The project is said to be the first development of its kind in the world, combining world-class film and television production facilities with dedicated screen industry education, affordable housing, creative employment space, and major new public realm at this scale.
Camden Film Quarter is the vision of Yoo Capital, whose other work includes the £1.3b reimagining of Olympia, which recently opened to the public, as well as the revival of the Saville Theatre and Hotel and the Shepherd’s Bush Market.
The project has been developed alongside a team of leading partners. including SPPARC (masterplan, studios and mixed-use design), Places for People, and Broadway Malyan (housing), Oxygen Studios (studio operations), Montagu Evans (planning, historic environment and townscape), Spacehub (landscape architecture), Momentum Transport Consultancy (transport), Atelier Ten (sustainability), and a wider team of specialist consultants.
Together, the project is claimed to represent a new model for urban regeneration “where people can live, learn, work and play within a single integrated place”.
Creative ecosystem
Lloyd Lee, co-founder and managing partner of Yoo Capital, said: “Camden Film Quarter is much more than a film studio development. It is a complete creative ecosystem that brings together production, education, employment, homes, culture and public space within a single integrated vision.
“At a time when the UK screen sector requires new infrastructure to remain globally competitive, Camden Film Quarter demonstrates how the creative industries can act as a catalyst for transformational regeneration. By creating a place where people can learn, create, work, live and play, we are delivering a new model for urban communities and one of the most significant creative industry districts anywhere in Europe.
“The project reflects our belief that development should be both fiscally and socially responsible. The studios provide the economic engine that helps deliver affordable homes, education, public space, community infrastructure and long-term opportunities for local people.
“We are grateful to Camden Council, local residents, businesses, community organisations and our partners who have helped shape this vision over many years.”
Designed as a “complete creative ecosystem”, Camden Film Quarter is said to create a direct pathway from education to employment, bringing together the National Film and Television School, London Screen Academy, creative businesses, production companies and future talent within one connected neighbourhood.
The approved proposals will deliver:
- 11 state-of-the-art purpose-built sound stages operated by Oxygen Studios
- 485 new homes, including 243 affordable homes delivered in partnership with Places for People
- Approximately 3,960 direct operational jobs and 5,155 net additional jobs overall
- More than 100,000 sq ft of creative, production and employment space
- Facilities for more than 500 learners through the National Film and Television School and London Screen Academy
- Approximately 1.1 hectares (2.8 acres) of publicly accessible open space
- 301 new trees and approximately 190% Biodiversity Net Gain
- A new enclosed Reuse and Recycling Centre designed to deliver safer, cleaner and more efficient waste and recycling services for Camden
- The long-term conservation and reuse of the Grade II listed Kentish Town Police Station
Simon Lear, managing director of Camden Film Quarter, said: “Camden Council’s decision reflects years of collaboration, consultation and design development. Camden Film Quarter has evolved through extensive engagement with residents, businesses, community groups, schools, elected members and officers to ensure it responds to the aspirations of the Regis Road Growth Area.
“Alongside world-class creative industry facilities, the project will deliver 485 homes, including 243 affordable homes, significant new public open space, education facilities supporting more than 500 learners, new jobs and long-term investment into Kentish Town.”
Modern urban district
Jonathan Greenfield, chief executive of Oxygen Studios, said: “Camden Film Quarter represents a significant opportunity for both the UK screen industry and London. Demand for high-quality studio infrastructure continues to grow, and this project responds by providing world-class production facilities in one of the most connected and creative locations in the country.
“What makes Camden Film Quarter truly unique is the way it brings together studios, production and post-production space, creative businesses, education and future talent within a single ecosystem. By connecting learning, skills and employment with world-class production facilities, it creates the foundations for long-term success and helps ensure the UK remains globally competitive in film and television production.”
Trevor Morriss, principal at SPPARC, said: “Camden Film Quarter reimagines what a modern urban district can be. Rather than separating industry, education, housing and public life, the masterplan brings them together in a highly connected and walkable neighbourhood.
“The design opens up a previously inaccessible industrial estate, creates new parks and public spaces, improves connections across the area and establishes a distinctive new destination for Camden. It is a place designed around people, creativity and long-term sustainability.”
Andrew Usher, group managing director of developments at Places for People, said: “Camden Film Quarter is set to become an important new neighbourhood for north London and the next chapter in PfP’s place-making journey.
“London is facing a housing crisis that demands bold action and genuine commitment, and we believe this development is exactly the kind of response the capital needs. Delivering 485 high-quality homes, with 50% designated as affordable, will make a real and positive difference to people’s lives and help address the acute shortage of genuinely affordable housing in inner London.”
Read next: Laser startup to open production facility in Vilnius
Are you a building professional? Sign up for a FREE MEMBERSHIP to upload news stories, post job vacancies, and connect with colleagues on our secure social feed.
