Plans submitted for first phase of Sunderland’s Crown Works studios
Subject to planning, construction is expected to begin in autumn of this year following the departure of investor Cain International last year.
Submitted to Sunderland City Council, the application sets out the final proposals for Studio One, the initial phase of the wider Crown Works Growth Zone development on a 77 acres brownfield site on the south bank of the River Wear.
The revised plans have been scaled back since the studio lost the backing of investor Cain International last year. Originally, the project was billed at £450m, but while the council continues to search for a new investor via CBRE, phase one can progress.
The project has secured more than £38m in funding from the North East Combined Authority as part of a wider public sector investment programme exceeding £60m across the Crown Works Growth Zone.
Designed by FaulknerBrowns, Studio One will be built by Bowmer + Kirkland and will deliver 178,000 sq ft of production space, comprising three sound stages, ancillary production facilities, backlot space, and surface parking. The scheme also includes the refurbishment of the historic WH Foster Printworks building.
Extensive site preparation and remediation works have already been completed, with the latest application supported by updated computer-generated images illustrating the first new buildings on the eastern section of the site.
The site forms part of the Creative Mayoral Development Zone, which spans eight neighbourhoods across Sunderland.
The first phase is intended to establish Crown Works as a regional hub for high-end television and film production, while acting as a catalyst for future development across the wider site.
Longer-term plans envisage one of the largest studio complexes in northern England, capable of accommodating feature films, high-end television productions, live events and gameshows.
The wider Growth Zone is expected to support job creation, attract inward investment and strengthen local supply chains, while creating opportunities for skills development, education and training within the screen industries.
The planning application comes amid continued growth in the North East’s production sector. According to North East Screen, production activity in the region has increased by more than 130% over the past three years, generating £88.5m in gross value added.
The agency’s latest impact report also recorded an 83% increase in production spend since 2022, with 1,419 jobs created and a growing number of regional businesses securing production commissions.
Cllr Chris Eynon, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “I want to see plans for Crown Works move ahead at pace, so this is an exciting step forward that will take this from vision to reality.
“Sunderland has a long and proud history as a city of makers. People here are not only creative, they’re also industrious and that combination means that there could be no better place to accelerate the region’s ambitions when it comes to unlocking the potential of our creative industries.”
North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness, said: “We’re on the verge of blockbuster films and smash hit TV being filmed here on the banks of the River Wear. I can’t wait for our brilliant creatives, both in front of the camera and behind, to be first in line for the opportunities that Crown Works Studios will bring.
“Our £38m investment is all about making sure there’s jobs for local people on their doorstep, without having to move hundreds of miles away to London. 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.”
Alison Gwynn, chief executive of North East Screen, said: “The timing of these developments could not be better. Our recently published four year impact report shows the growth rate in the region’s screen industries is phenomenal and very much set to continue.
“The North East Production Fund is crucial in attracting more production to the region. But once here, the welcome they receive from our film office and filming friendly authorities, the breadth and quality of our locations and our first-class crew and talent ensure they want to stay longer.
“Adding essential studio infrastructure means we can attract a much wider range of productions, and open up more opportunities for local crew and suppliers.”
