ú40m film studios plan for Leavesden

A media village resembling Hollywood’s Universal Studios will be designed at Leavesden Aerodrome for ú40m, offering a major challenge to Shepperton and Pinewood Studios.

If it receives planning permission, Third Millennium Studios will be the largest of its kind in the UK, according to Tim Armstrong, partner at Gwilliam & Armstrong Architects in Birmingham. The practice is working on early designs in conjunction with US architect Gensler & Associates, which specialises in the film industry.

The studios will occupy the 116ha former Rolls-Royce manufacturing site near Watford, where Goldeneye, the next James Bond film, is currently in production.

“It’s very early days, but it’ll probably be a mix of existing film studios and new buildings, such as a family entertainment centre, restaurants, a virtual reality area, post-production facilities and indoor film-related entertainment,” says Armstrong. “there is lots of potential for exciting design.” Planning permission is expected by September.

Meanwhile, film director brothers Ridley and Tony Scott are planning upgrades after buying Shepperton Film Studios for ú12m, backed by financier Candover Partners.

The Scotts plan to spend about ú10m over five years to upgrade facilities, and have “no comment right now” about Shepperton’s future plans for designers.