Sector: Film studios

A new world-class film and television studio campus comprising 18 state-of-the-art sound stages with ancillary workshops, offices and amenities.

Shinfield Studios

Shinfield Studios, Wokingham Council - Status: Planning application approved

Our role: Based on our extensive knowledge of the Wokingham area and our expertise in large-scale film studio projects, Chess Engage was commissioned to manage the engagement on the new proposals and secure support for the various applications. We brokered the initial conversations with the Council and Shinfield Studios which led to the project.

This was one of the largest overseas investments in 2021, recognised as one of the best film and TV studio complexes in the world. We facilitated conversations with the Government as a key advocate for the project.

Our approach: We worked with the client to formulate the vision and key messages for the proposed development. The initial conversations scoped the need for a short and sharp campaign to achieve temporary planning permission for four stages and four workshops. This was achieved within six months of the project beginning and involved intense community engagement recruiting supporters and advocates. The application was unanimously approved at the committee.

We then devised a strategic plan for community and stakeholder engagement for the wider in detail major application for eighteen stages, workshops, ancillary buildings, and permissions associated with the bigger site. This included a coordinated local engagement campaign with parishes, schools, community groups and councillors, building on our initial programme of stakeholder engagement.

Due to the extensive economic benefits associated with the proposal we prepared presentations for and led the engagement with the local public authorities, the Berkshire LEP and wider groups such as colleges and Berkshire film and cultural bodies. This secured wider support for the application and helped inform a skills and training framework that was submitted as part of the planning application. Chess Engage wrote the Employment and Skills Strategy for Shinfield Studios, as well as the Community Strategy both adopted by the Council at as approved plans for the Studios.

Results:

• We consulted with more than 2000 people who overwhelmingly expressed support for the scheme.
• Planning application unanimously approved by the Wokingham Borough Council Planning Committee. Consent for the scheme was achieved within a year of acquiring the site, following temporary approved which was achieved within six months.
• Transformation of a brownfield site into the UK's fourth largest world-leading film and television studio campus, creating new jobs and investment into the local and UK economy. State of the art facilities built to US standards.