Sky and Legal & General have secured planning to almost double the size of Sky Studios Elstree in Hertfordshire.

Hertsmere councillors approved the £400m Sky Studios Elstree North project, which will deliver 10 extra stages and 210,000 sq ft of Tier 1 space. The expansion takes the Borehamwood complex to 22 stages across 65 acres and 470,000 sq ft in total.

Construction is scheduled to start next year, creating around 600 jobs. The build will be on the same scale as the original Sky Studios Elstree South studios complex, delivered by BAM several years ago.

Sky has also pledged £6.5m for local road upgrades, a new community green and safeguarding 27 acres of land for wildlife.

The professional team includes architect UMC, civil and structural engineer Fairhurst, and M&E consultant Hoare Lea.

Sustainability targets will see solar panels across every rooftop, LED lighting throughout and a fully electric vehicle fleet.

The expansion will also grow the Sky Up Academy Studios, offering training and career pathways for 11–18 year olds.

By adding 210,000 sq ft of new Tier 1 facilities, the scheme will chip away at the UK’s projected 1.4m sq ft studio shortfall by 2027 — capacity equal to at least one extra feature film a year plus multiple high-end TV shows.