James Corden’s Sunderland film complex approved

Sunderland City Council has given the go-ahead for a £450m film studio complex on the banks of the River Wear.

The local authority’s planning and highways committee granted consent for the mammoth scheme on a disused 30ha site in the Pallion district of the Tyne and Wear city.

James Corden's production company, Fulwell 73, brought forward the Crown Works Studios proposals in partnership with the council and property investor Cain International.

The scheme will create more than 150,000 square metres of facilities including sound stages; production support offices and workshop rooms; hospitality and administration facilities; a vendors village for suppliers; a studio and technical academy; and other buildings.

Large open spaces will be created for outdoor sets, while there will also be hard surfacing for trailers and other vehicles as well as extensive parking.

Former Gavin and Stacey star turned US talk-show host Corden issued a statement jointly with fellow Fulwell partners Gabe Turner, Ben Turner, Leo Pearlman and Ben Winston when the plans were unveiled last year.

“We are unified in our belief that there is a unique opportunity to bring further high-end production to the UK through this ambitious Sunderland-based studio project, putting the region on the map as a global production destination,” they said.

Sunderland City Council described the approved plans as representing a “once-in-a-generation” development.

Planning officers said the benefits of the scheme included “economic growth and employment, health and wellbeing, regeneration of a brownfield site, design, green infrastructure and setting of heritage assets”.

Fulwell 73 has released feature documentaries including The Class of ’92 and One Direction: Where We Are.