Shepperton Studios has submitted a plan to redevelop and expand its production facilities to Splethorne Borough Council.
The planned £500 million initiative includes an increase in stage space of around 465,000 sq ft and associated support facilities.
Shepperton says the development will bring the studio up to the scale and standard of its sister Pinewood Studios.
The studio’s owners said in a statement that the expansion will secure the future of more than 1,500 direct jobs currently based in Spelthorne and maintain the current contribution to the local economy of £181 million Gross Value Added (GVA). Over the construction period 837 jobs per year will be created, including potential for more than 200 jobs in the borough. On completion, Shepperton Studios is expected to boost productivity within the local economy to a total of £322 million (GVA) and will create and sustain a total of 2,796 jobs.
Andrew M. Smith, director, Shepperton Studios said: “The UK is currently missing out on a significant number of international films because of a shortage of sound stages. The British Film Institute and British Film Commission have been calling for more stage space to reverse this trend and the increased capacity proposed at Shepperton Studios will meet head on the need for additional purpose built sound stages to accommodate blockbuster size movies”.
The council is expected to reach a decision by the end of the year. If it approves the plan that decision would then be considered by Government.
