Labour North East mayor Kim McGuinness has welcomed a planning milestone for Crown Works Studios, stressing that the development must create opportunities for working-class people in the creative industries.
Sunderland City Council’s planning authority has approved the first phase of the project on the banks of the River Wear, moving the scheme closer to construction.
McGuinness: ‘real opportunities for working class creatives’
“Another step closer to construction,” McGuinness wrote.
She added: “And we’re making sure that this means real opportunities for working class creatives.”
The mayor said the authority was already investing in skills, supporting creative businesses and attracting more productions to the region.
Studio One plans
The approved Studio One development will provide 125,000 square feet of film and television production space. Plans include three sound stages, production accommodation, outdoor filming space and parking, alongside refurbishment of the historic WH Foster Printworks building.
More than £38 million from the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority is backing the scheme. It forms part of the wider Crown Works Growth Zone, intended to support employment and investment in Sunderland.
The approval concerns a revised development following the withdrawal of the original private partners. Earlier proposals envisaged a much larger complex with 19 studios and £450 million in private funding; the current first phase is smaller.
Site preparation and remediation have been completed, although further enabling work is needed before building begins. The planning decision is therefore a step towards delivering the studios, rather than confirmation that construction is complete or the facilities are open.
For McGuinness, the ambition extends beyond the buildings: investment in skills and local creative businesses is intended to help people across the region access the opportunities that future productions could bring.
