The Local Development Orders for Sky Studios Elstree and Panattoni Park Borehamwood were approved at Full Council on the 28th February 2024 with the formal public consultation closing on the 5th October 2023.
Hertsmere Borough Council consulted on the proposed introduction of a Local Development Orders (LDO) at Sky Studios Elstree (SSE) and Panattoni Park Borehamwood (PPB) under Article 38(6) of The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015 (as amended). The LDOs extend what are known as ‘permitted development rights’ which remove the need for planning applications to be made for certain types of operational development within these existing sites such as marquees and temporary cabins.
Sky Studios Elstree (SSE) is a large film and TV studio, approved by Hertsmere Borough Council in September 2020 and developed by Sky Studios Limited. The studio site comprises 12 flexible sound stages, production offices, production support/workshop space and screening rooms, together with car parking, ancillary facilities and associated works.
Panattoni Park Borehamwood (PPB) is a purpose built distribution depot off Elstree Way close to SSE and was approved by the council in July 2019. Compromising four warehouses, associated parking and office space, part of this site is now being leased by Sky Studios Limited for additional storage and other facilities to support their operations. Only the part of PPB being used by Sky would be covered by the LDO.
The proposed LDOs will provide Sky Studio Limited (SSL) with greater flexibility when different productions are filming and cover relatively minor forms of development which would ordinarily be expected to receive planning permission.
The Local Development Order was approved on the 22nd January 2020 with the formal public consultation closing in November 2019.
The LDO covers part of BBC Elstree where the new Eastenders set is being constructed. The order eliminates the need for planning applications to be made for certain types of development at the site. The LDO documentation can be found at the bottom of this page.
The LDO will provide the BBC with greater flexibility when filming EastEnders allowing for set changes to be made which reflect new storylines within the tight fixed schedule required for filming. Previously the studio has to submit planning applications for a variety of changes to the sets including alterations to the heights of buildings, facades and backdrops and signage. Although the LDO can be revoked at any time, it is intended that it will remain in place for 30 years.
Due to the nature of the site as a working film set and the need to avoid publicity around future storylines, the exact details of what development will take place under the LDO are not currently known. The LDO will instead provide a framework for physical changes to be made to the site, allowing for alterations and new facades and structures to be erected when required. It will also be used as a tool for the scriptwriters providing them with a clearer picture of what alterations can be done to the set.
An initial public engagement event was conducted by the BBC in mid-July attended by a number of local residents. This was followed by a formal public consultation on the draft LDO for the BBC Elstree Front Lot which ran from 7 October to 8 November 2019.
If you wish to view the previous consultation please visit our consultation portal.
https://hertsmere-consult.objective.co.uk/portal/pp/ldo/bbcldo