The owners of planned Sunset Waltham Cross Studios in Broxbourne Hertfordshire are now exploring “alternative uses” for the site.
The site’s owners Blackstone and Hudson Pacific, which owns the US-based Sunset Studios, bought the 90-acre site in Broxbourne Hertfordshire back in 2021 with plans for a major studio complex. Planning was won in 2022 for a 1.2 million square-foot studio campus with 21 sound stages totalling 470,000 square feet, 420,000 square feet of workshop and mill space, and 250,000 square feet of stage-adjacent production office and support space as well as amenity, basecamp and backlot spaces.
Construction of the studio was put on hold in 2023 when the US actors’ and writers’ strikes and economic headwinds hit.
The owners of the Sunset Waltham Cross Studios have now informed Broxbourne Council that they are “exploring alternative uses for the site amid an ongoing pause in the project.”
According to Broxbourne Council, the owners of the site are now undertaking a feasibility study to look at alternate uses.
The 91-acre site, close to M25 junction 25, is allocated in the Borough’s approved Local Plan 2018 – 2033 as a strategic employment site. “The Council will now work closely with the owners to ensure that its future use is in line with that allocation.”
Councillor Mark Mills- Bishop, Leader of Broxbourne Council said: “I am extremely disappointed to learn that the planned Sunset Studios facility will now not proceed. It is my understanding that the market conditions are currently not favourable for new film studios across the UK.
“The decision may well be taken out of my hands if a large unitary council replaces the Borough of Broxbourne as part of Local Government Reorganisation, but I will do everything I can to ensure that future development on that site provides the best possible economic opportunities for the residents of Broxbourne.”
The joint venture that owns the site said: “We are grateful to Broxbourne Council for all their support towards this project to date. We share their disappointment that a studio development is no longer feasible at this time given market conditions.
“We are determined to work with the Council to secure the best possible alternative use for the site to support economic prosperity for the local community.”
The council reports that discussions are underway between the Council and the site’s owners on the next steps.
Jon Creamer
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