Planning documents suggest that a “world leading” filmmaker is in talks over using Eastbrook Studios for a new production, reports Nick Clark, Local Democracy Reporter
A “major production” looks set to be filmed at Eastbrook Studios in Dagenham.
Film company LBBD Film has applied for planning permission to use land at the nearby May and Baker Way Car Park, for commercial filming.
Documents included with the planning application say this follows “discussions with a major production which identified a need for a temporary backlot site for outdoor filming”.
Plans say Barking and Dagenham Council, which owns the car park, has already agreed that it can be used as a potential filming location.
However, the council still needs to grant planning permission for the temporary backlot.
A planning statement by the council’s wholly-owned planning consultancy BeFirst states: “The studio has been approached by a potential film studio who are keen to use the site for a major production.
“The site would operate as a ‘backlot’ which is synonymous with all major studios.”
It adds: “Backlot space provides an exterior area for hosting outdoor scenes and temporary set construction.
“Backlots are an important part of a world leading film studios, to support the biggest budget feature films and television series, from content creators like Netflix, Marvel, Disney, among others.”
The planning statement also claims that major productions “have the potential to bring over £100million of spend in a single year at Eastbrook Studios”.
It says that a “significant proportion” would be “spent outside of the studio in the wider borough with local businesses including new employment opportunities and apprenticeships”.
The planning application says the backlot would be in place between Monday, 25th May and Monday, 6th July.
It says most filming will take place during the day “except a few days that are finishing at 12am (x4days) and 1am (x1day)”.
The statement also says that vehicles needing to access the site would do so from Rainham Road South, on to Yew Tree Avenue.
However, it claims there would not be more traffic than would normally be linked to Eastbrook Studios.
The planning application was submitted on Tuesday, 7th April and made available to view on the council’s planning website on Tuesday, 21st April. Anyone wishing to view and comment on it can use reference number 26/00436/PRIFLM.
