A £1bn film studio and housing scheme in Kentish Town is still awaiting final sign-off three months after councillors narrowly backed it.
Camden Council’s planning committee voted to approve the Camden Film Quarter in June, with chair Liam Martin-Lane using his casting vote to break a five-five tie.
But the scheme cannot go ahead until a legal agreement is signed and the Mayor of London has made a final decision.
The scheme is set to be built on the Regis Road industrial site and will include eight film studios.
The scheme also includes 485 new homes, 243 of them affordable, to be delivered by housing association Places for People.
The National Film and Television School and the London Screen Academy are also set to open campuses for over 500 students.
The approved plans include a small amount of shop space, and a new recycling centre.
Councillors were told the scheme would create more than 3,000 jobs.
Camden Green Party formally objected to the scheme. Its leader, Lorna Russell, called the project a “monstrosity of a film studio” at the June 15 meeting. Conservative group leader Steve Adams also spoke against it.
Meanwhile Dee Searle, vice-chair of the Kentish Town Neighbourhood Forum, warned the meeting that building homes above a new recycling centre posed a fire risk. She told councillors: “Nowhere else in Britain are homes built over recycling centres.”
Various community groups objected, and many residents’ associations said buildings of up to 24 storeys were out of step with the area.
The split on the council has also been felt on the high street.
The manager of an independent shop on Kentish Town Road, who asked not to be named, backed the plans.
He said: “I’m 100% for it. We need the footfall.” Asked whether new businesses on the site could take trade from existing ones, he said: “They’ll come out here and we’ll go there… it’s a no-brainer.”
On the other hand, Natasha Boon, who runs Natasha’s Flowers on the same road, said she had reservations unless the scheme included guaranteed housing for local people, links between the studios and local schools, and provision for children with special educational needs.
She also raised concerns about road closures and traffic, which could affect access for businesses, as well as the height and design of the buildings.
Yoo Capital aims to start construction to start in 2027, although construction plans have not been finalised.
Lloyd Lee, co-founder and managing partner of Yoo Capital, said: “Camden Film Quarter is much more than a film studio development. It is a complete creative ecosystem that brings together production, education, employment, homes, culture and public space within a single integrated vision…
“We are grateful to Camden Council, local residents, businesses, community organisations and our partners who have helped shape this vision over many years.”
The Mayor can let the council’s decision stand, direct refusal or take over the application himself.
Featured image credit: Rockhunter
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