A £1 billion regeneration project to transform an industrial site in North London into a “landmark” film and television studio complex has been approved by Camden Council. The plans for Camden Film Quarter were passed by a narrow majority on Monday, nearly a decade after the Kentish Town brownfield site was first identified for redevelopment.
Narrow Approval
At the first meeting of the Labour-run council’s Planning Committee since the local elections, members voted 6 to 5 in favour of the development. Labour’s majority on the council was reduced to 30 seats in May after gains by the Greens and Liberal Democrats, doubling the number of opposition councillors on the committee and weakening Labour’s control over planning decisions.
Developer Yoo Capital, which is behind the Olympia Exhibition Centre and Sky Garden projects, has promised to deliver “world-class” film and TV studios featuring 11 sound stages and dedicated education spaces. The facilities are expected to accommodate over 500 students from the National Film and Television School and the London Screen Academy.
Housing and Infrastructure
The plans also include 485 new homes, with 243 designated as affordable, along with new cycle lanes, pedestrian routes, and public parks. The developer estimates the scheme will create 1,365 jobs during construction and operation. Planning officers noted it was “very rare” for any development to offer such a level of housing provision.
However, the project faced opposition from 441 residents and local groups who raised concerns about the scale of the complex—up to 159 metres tall—the loss of trees and open spaces, and the impact on local schools and infrastructure.
Criticism and Concerns
During the meeting, Alice Brown, standing for the Green Party in the upcoming Regent’s Park by-election, called the scheme “disastrous” and “extreme” due to greenhouse gas emissions and diesel lorries involved in construction, including digging “obscenely large” basements. “The planners know this is a very damaging scheme but are under political pressure,” she said.
Liberal Democrat councillor Tim Simon echoed fears about the “substantial upfront CO2 impact” of construction. Opposition leader Lorna Jane Russell described the building as a “monstrosity” that would overshadow protected views and objected to flats being placed directly above a waste facility. Objectors argued this posed a fire safety risk, citing a recent recycling centre fire in Bermondsey and the frequency of lithium-ion battery fires in waste streams.
Residents from the Kentish Town Neighbourhood Forum expressed concerns that construction lorries passing near primary schools would endanger children. The Queen’s Crescent Neighbourhood Forum claimed it was “almost certain” the development would change use, as Yoo Capital had “stated they intend to sell the film studios when built.”
Developer’s Response
Camden Film Quarter denied these claims. Yoo Capital has publicly positioned the project as a long-term opportunity for global capital investment, describing it as a “purpose-built, urban city-centre film and TV production campus.”
Defending the scheme, Yoo Capital’s Lloyd Lee said the Film Quarter would bring together “community and industry.” The project’s Camden-based architect, Trevor Morris, acknowledged scepticism but called it a “once in a lifetime opportunity to offer meaningful regeneration” that would remain “firmly rooted in its local context.”
To address fire safety concerns, the project’s fire consultant said they would consider installing automatic checking machines to detect batteries in waste compactors. Officers added that further regulators would need to approve the building’s safety design.
Environmental Impact
Officers admitted the environmental impact would be “significant” and that greenhouse gas emissions exceeded council benchmarks. However, they argued the development’s energy efficiency would reduce carbon emissions by 63%, and that benchmarks “were not targets we need to meet.”
The production facilities will be operated by Oxygen Studios, which runs Longcross, Arborfield, and Fairbanks Studios.
