Crown Works Studios

On behalf of Fullwell Cain Studios in conjunction with Sunderland City Council, Lichfields secured planning permission for a world-class film and high-end TV production facility on a prominent brownfield site on the south bank of the River Wear flanking the iconic Northern Spire Bridge.

Lichfields the Planning Project Management on the project and prepared the EIA Planning Application, which included the Planning and Sustainability Statement, Heritage Statement, Health Impact Assessment, Statement of Community Involvement and organised the Public Consultation including the production of marketing materials, leaflet drop, website and in person consultation event.

The redevelopment of this 33 hectare site will revitalise this riverside area of Sunderland and will help act as a catalyst for further regeneration. The proposals will deliver a state-of-the-art film industry hub of 154,215 square metres (1.66 million square feet), including sound stages for filming, offices for post-production processes (e.g. visual special effects writing) and workshops for creating and maintaining the film studios, props, sets and equipment. Supporting facilities will include two hub buildings providing hospitality, VIP services and administration facilities, a ‘Vendors Village’ (providing services such as equipment rental, set construction, wardrobes), two multi storey car parks and security gates / buildings.

Lichfields provided ongoing advice and guidance regarding Planning, Heritage, Economics and Environmental Impact whilst delivering efficient Planning Project Management. Through spring and summer 2023 Lichfields worked with the client, architects and project team to develop the design and proposals to produce a world-class film and high-end TV production facility.

The hybrid planning application for the development was submitted in November 2023 and approved in June 2024.