Sector: Film studios

A new world-class film and television studio campus comprising 21 state-of-the-art sound stages with ancillary workshops, offices and amenities.

Sunset Waltham Cross Studios

Blackstone, Broxbourne Council - Status: Planning application approved

Our role: Based on our extensive knowledge of the local area and our specialist expertise in large scale film studio projects, Chess Engage was commissioned to manage the engagement on the new proposals and secure support for the application.

Our approach: We worked with the client to formulate the vision and key messages for the proposed development. We then devised a strategic plan for community and stakeholder engagement, with a focus on cultivating support for the proposed development. This included a coordinated local and social media campaign and a programme of stakeholder engagement.

Due to the extensive economic benefits associated with the proposal we prepared presentations for and led the engagement with the Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership, Hertfordshire Regional College, Hertfordshire Growth Board, the Employment and Skills Partnership, Hertfordshire University, and Hertfordshire County Council. This secured wider support for the application and helped inform a skills and training framework that was submitted as part of the planning application.

Results:

• We consulted with more than 1000 people with 94% expressing support for the scheme. 800 people have signed up for further updates.
• Planning application unanimously approved by the Broxbourne Borough Council Planning Committee. Consent for the scheme was achieved within a year of acquiring the site.
• Transformation of a 91-acre site into the UK's largest world-leading film and television studio campus, creating new jobs and investment into the local and UK economy.
• Sunset Studios was shortlisted in the Promoting Economic Growth category by Planning Awards 2023.