THE UK is set to get a brand new neighbourhood with film studios, play spaces and outdoor film screenings.
Plans have been revealed for a new £1billion creative neighbourhood, called the Camden Film Quarter, located in London, which is set to bring film and TV studios into the city centre.
According to Time Out, the new studios and overall site will be the “UK’s answer to Hollywood“.
Developed by the same people behind London‘s Olympia – Yoo Capital – the new neighbourhood would create space for British creative industries to grow.
What makes the project even better is that, rather unusually, the studios building set for the site would be open to visitors to explore, with a studio tour, cafes, restaurants, events and a roof garden.
The planned area for redevelopment sits west of Kentish Town and, once built, would be home to a number of film, creative and cultural industries.
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In the neighbourhood, there would be several film and TV studios, eight sound stages, galleries, shops, restaurants and bars, a gym, community spaces and public spaces.
In addition, there will be an Education Hub for people interested in entering film, TV and digital careers and The London Screen Academy for 16-19-year-olds to learn about production.
The National Film and Television School, which is one of the most respected screen schools in the world, is also set to open a campus in the Camden Film Quarter.
According to Yoo Capital, “the architecture [of Camden Film Quarter] references the area’s industrial heritage through robust materials such as brick and metal”.
Away from the buildings, in sunny weather the public will also be able to enjoy six new play spaces, two or more parks and 400sqm of rain gardens – all set to feature sculptures, murals and interactive pieces as well.
The play spaces will include areas inspired by the journey of water, with a large seasonal dry river bed and natural stone play.
In the area known as Western Park, visitors will be able to explore local markets, art installations and outdoor film screenings.
Then, in the area known as Eastern Park, there would be smaller green spaces and playgrounds.
There would also be a pedestrian high-line route (a walking route above roads and railway lines) around the buildings and around 1,000 new homes.
Plans were submitted to Camden Council last month, who will decide whether to approve the project or not and it is currently unclear when the project would open if it is approved by the council.
A report detailing the project states: “Camden Film Quarter will establish Kentish Town as a new centre for the creative industries, bringing film and media jobs right into the neighbourhood.
“The development will include inner London’s first significant film studio campus – state-of-the-art sound stages and studios that meet the booming film and TV sector’s need for production space.”
Plans to create the Camden Film Quarter were first unveiled in 2023.
At the time, Lloyd Lee, managing partner at Yoo Capital, said: “We are looking forward to working with the London Borough of Camden and the local community to bring forward the ambitions for a Camden Film Quarter.
“This project will be a shot in the arm for the UK’s creative industries as we look to fuel its exponential growth by attracting the best talent in TV and film to the area.”
Councillor Danny Beales, cabinet member for New Homes, Jobs and Community Investment, said: “We know there is huge creative potential in the people who live and work in Camden.
“We want to unlock the Kentish Town industrial area to transform this cut-off, unwelcoming site, into one that becomes a greener, welcoming space, connecting Gospel Oak with Kentish Town.
“A new thriving neighbourhood, which is a beacon for creativity, providing more desperately needed affordable homes for local people, good jobs and opportunities for existing communities.”
Yoo Capital is also behind London’s newest tourist town in a ‘forgotten’ district, which will be a £1.3 billion attraction with hotels, a theatre and a rooftop bar.
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