Londoners could soon see brand new film and TV studios in the capital as developers unveil their plans to regenerate an industrial site in Camden into a “world-class” creative district.
Camden Film Quarter has submitted plans to build “cutting-edge” production stages in Kentish Town, alongside new affordable housing, open public spaces and educational hubs. The company says its vision is to create a “UK-first film studios hub in the heart of the city, capitalising on Camden’s creative talent and bringing opportunities to the community”.
The applicant adds that the new “state-of-the-art” facilities, including for visual effects, animation and post-production, will rival and surpass those of New York, Los Angeles and others, positioning the site as London’s “premier film and TV quarter”.
Camden Film Quarter is backed by investment firm Yoo Capital, which owns the “closed-off and unwelcoming” industrial Regis Road site between Kentish Town Tube station and Grafton Road.
The applicant said the plans for a “mixed and walkable neighbourhood” with cycle lanes and pedestrian routes will challenge the norm of production studios housed in complexes full of industrial sheds. Meanwhile, through two new high-rise tower blocks the developer promises to provide at least 500 ‘affordable’ homes.
Yoo Capital bought the Regis Road site in 2023. The firm is also behind the redevelopment of the area beneath Shepherd’s Bush Market, the Kensington Olympia and this year saw plans approved to convert the Shaftesbury Theatre into a new Soho hotel and permanent home for Cirque du Soleil.
If planning permission is granted, according to developers the regeneration will bring 1,370 jobs to the area for the three-year construction period. The council approved the masterplan for the redevelopment in March this year but the latest submission has triggered objections from local residents.
Some have said the high-rises are “squeezed into” the west end of the development area and houses with will be “blighted” by the film studios next door. Others suggest the towers’ proposed heights were “extreme” or altogether unsuitable.
Eileen Sullivan said she was “thrilled” by the initial plans for film studios but said she was now “shocked” to see social housing placed near a recycling centre. “It’s truly a disgusting idea,” she said.
Local campaign group Bacton Towers Action, along with other residents, urged for an extension to feed back on the submission, arguing that the current deadline of December 14 was too soon.
The masterplan also provides for new educational hubs for the National Film and Television School (NTFS) and London Screen Academy. Camden residents can respond to the plans on the council’s planning portal.
© The Standard Ltd