MEPC SUBMIT OUTLINE PLAN FOR LEAVESDEN PARK

COMMERCIAL property development and management company MEPC have submitted an outline planning application for Leavesden Park, near Watford, which would make it the UK’s first-ever dedicated Film and Media Park.
The Park would extend to 350 acres and provide a total of 1.7 million sq ft. The scheme has an anticipated end value of £500 million.
The planning application, lodged with Three Rivers District Council, marks the second phase of development at Leavesden Park. It will provide a further 1.3 million sq ft of film studios, offices, business space and amenities to include; a hotel, convenience store, restaurant, medical centre, travel agency, crèche, cycle paths and a health club.
The UK’s first purpose built studios for more than 50 years will occupy circa of 50 acres at the centre of the Park. It will replace the existing Rolls Royce factory, which has latterly been used for studios and has been home to films such as ‘Goldeneye’, ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow’, and ‘The Phantom Menace’. ‘Harry Potter’ and the ‘Sorcerer’s Stone’ are currently being filmed at Leavesden Park.
Gavin Davidson, Director of MEPC, said: "The potential for companies involved in new media to locate next to production facilities is enormous as the film industry becomes ever more closely linked to the new technologies."
Phase 1 of the development, 400,000 sq ft of offices part pre-let to BT, is already under construction.
MEPC plans to develop the scheme to provide a unique integrated park which will offer high quality office buildings and new film production facilities. A large public park with nature conservation areas, including an amphitheatre with community and education resources, is also planned.
It is intended that companies in the telecoms, media and technology sector that can interact with the film studios will occupy the bulk of the scheme. (CD)