Landmark film studio granted planning approval

Crown Works Studios in Sunderland will be completed by 2027

Plans to build one of the largest film studios in Europe have been approved.

Crown Works Studios in Sunderland will pave the way to create thousands of jobs across the north-east of England, those working on the project have said.

The development forms part of a major regeneration scheme taking place in Wearside.

Sunderland City Council approved plans for the £450m studio at a meeting on Monday, which it called a "once in a generation development".

Approval comes after the government confirmed a devolution package for the region in the recent Budget, which is set to unlock up to £120m towards the site.

Planning firm Lichfields said the studios would put the North East "on the map" as an international centre for broadcast and film production.

The studios will form part of a multimillion-pound development in Wearside

Crown Works Studios is a joint venture between Cain International and Fulwell73, the company behind The Kardashians, Friends: the Reunion, and Sunderland Til I Die.

Labour-led Sunderland City Council is also a strategic partner.

'Dramatic transformation'

Work is due to start later this year on the development, which will be built in three phases, and is expected to be completed by 2027.

The studio will feature 19 sound stages, offices, workshops, a vendor village and a backlot.

Lichfields estimated 8,450 jobs would be created across the North East over the next decade because of the site.

Harvey Emms, from the firm, said: "This is one of the most high-profile and exciting developments to come forward in the North East in recent years.

"It will put the region on the map as an international centre for broadcast and film production, creating thousands of jobs and economic prosperity in the process.

"It also brings the dramatic transformation of Sunderland’s Riverside a lot closer."