London's Camden Film Quarter film and TV studio plans narrowly approved

Plans for a £1bn film and TV studio in north London, the Camden Film Quarter, have been narrowly approved by the Labour-run local council.

To be built on disused land in Kentish Town, plans include 11 sound stages, a campus for students at the National Film and Television School (NFTS) and the London Screen Academy (LSA) and 485 new residences, of which 50% will be classified as affordable housing.

The development has met with local opposition. The Green Party, the council’s opposition, described the scheme as a “monstrosity” and 441 residents and local groups have objected to its scale, environmental impact, potential disruption caused during construction and fire safety concerns.

The council narrowly approved the plans, with a small majority of six to five councillors last week. 

The studios will be built by UK real estate firm Yoo Capital, which has also built Olympia Exhibition Centre, Sky Garden and the regeneration of The Saville Theatre and Shepherd’s Bush Market.

It has been developed alongside Oxygen Studios, which has worked on Longcross Studios, Arborfield Studios and Fairbanks Studios.