Hollywood plans £700m film and TV studios in UK

Sunset Studios_ a Hollywood studio has announced a plan for a 'world-class' film and TV studios facility in the UK costing 700 million pound.

The owners of Sunset Studios in Los Angeles and an investment firm have bought a 91-acre site in Hertfordshire for £120m.

Subject to planning permission_ the production centre would be built in Broxbourne.

The government said it was "supporting" the development of such stage spaces across the UK.

Oliver Dowden_ Secretary of State for Digital_ Culture_ Media and Sport_ said: "This new studio is yet another vote of confidence in the UK's booming film and TV industry."

"Through the British Film Commission_ we're supporting the development of stage spaces like this across the UK - boosting the local economy and backing our world-class creatives to make the next Bond blockbuster or bingeworthy box set."

Mr Dowden is also the Conservative MP for the neighbouring Hertsmere constituency_ which includes Elstree Studios_

Los Angeles-based studio owner and operator Hudson Pacific has joined with investment company Blackstone and they hoped to transform Broxbourne into a hub for UK and international productions.

The companies anticipated it would "contribute £300m annually to the local economy" and could create up to 4_500 jobs.

James Seppala_ head of Blackstone Real Estate Europe_ said the development would "deliver a world-class studio facility that will help ensure that the UK continues to be a premiere destination for content production globally".

It would be the first expansion of the Sunset Studios brand outside the United States_ which was home to film productions such as When Harry Met Sally_ Zoolander and La La Land.

Victor Coleman_ chairman and chief executive of Hudson Pacific_ said he was looking forward to "working with Broxbourne Council to ensure the project has a meaningful and positive impact on the local community".

Lewis Cocking_ leader of Broxbourne Borough Council_ said it was a "fantastic opportunity" for the area.

"Creative industries are of strategic importance to us and the creation of 4_500 permanent new jobs and the associated boost to the local economy is just what we need following the pandemic_" he said.