North East Mayor puts Crown Works on Budget agenda

Kim McGuinness has asked chancellor Rachel Reeves for additional funding towards the proposed £450m film studios, on top of the £25m committed in last year’s autumn statement.

Crown Works is being led by Sunderland City Council, with CBRE appointed to find investors and developers for the 1.7m sq ft scheme following the withdrawal of Cain International from the project in July.

The project received full planning permission in March last year, with the 82-acre plot to be transformed into one of Europe’s largest film studios.

Designed by 4D Studio Architects, the wider project team includes Lichfields, landscape architect Southern Green, structural engineer Hydrick, M&E consultant Desco, and quantity surveyor Towner & Townsend.

Remediation works are currently taking place on site, which is located on the banks of the Wear in Pallion, funded through £25m of initial investment from a £120m package secured from the government and the North East Combined Authority.

She said: “I will always champion the North East. That’s why I’m continuing to push directly with the Treasury for further investment, so we can get spades in the ground at Crown Works as soon as possible.

“This project is a regional priority and we are working hard to attract investors so we can create thousands of jobs for local people.

“Culture is at the heart of our plans. We remain confident Crown Works can eventually be the largest film and TV production complex in the UK outside of London and the South East so our budding actors, screenwriters and production staff can make blockbuster films on their doorstep.”

McGuinness also used her time with the chancellor to ask for long-term funding to ensure bus fares remain capped at £2.50 for adults and £1 for young people; upgrades to the A19 Moor Farm roundabout; the lifting of the two-child benefit cap; the full restoration of the mothballed Leamside Line, and more trains on the Northumberland Line.