Next steps for Sunderland film studios plan as bid to bring blockbusters to former Pallion Shipyard continues

Sunderland City Council’s planning department received an application for the former Pallion Shipyard, the only standing shipyard remaining in the city since it closed in the late-1980s.

The application from Pallion Engineering Ltd asked for a ‘certificate of lawfulness’ to pave the way for the regeneration and transformation of the buildings into more than 500,000 sq ft of creative space.

This included retaining the existing mega-structures and creating specialist facilities, including the largest covered ‘water studio’ in the world, with the wider development having the potential to create more than 1,000 jobs.

Plans for Pallion Shipyard Studios are being led by production company Metalwork Pictures USA, global events business Broadwick Live, Pallion Engineering Ltd and Kajima Corporation of Japan.

The certificate of lawfulness, approved by Sunderland City Council in December 2022, grants permission for the site to operate as a film studio and creative hub.

Primary activities listed in council planning documents include filming spaces and sets, workshops, model making, set production, costume making, prosthetics manufacturing, storage and music, photography, dance and podcasting rehearsal studios.

The decision means the proposed use has been deemed lawful for planning purposes and no additional planning permissions are required for the applicant to operate the site in line with details submitted to the council.

However planning permission may still be required for any new buildings or alterations to the existing buildings at the site as the development progresses.

During council consultation on the certificate of lawfulness, five public objections and one statement of support were received.

Objectors said the shipyard should be reinstated to its original use of shipbuilding and repair to create skilled jobs, with one comment suggesting the film studio was a “pie in the sky idea”.

The single supporting comment said the plans would bring investment to Sunderland and create “highly skilled jobs within the area”.

A decision report published on the council’s website clarified the planning case hinged on whether the proposed use was “lawful” and that proposed uses for the site would “not constitute development”.

The council decision report adds: “The views expressed within these representations [objections] relate to the merits of the proposed use of the site, and specifically support for the reintroduction of the site’s historic use, rather than being concerned with the lawfulness of the proposed use.

“As is made clear by the planning practice guidance, the local planning authority cannot consider the planning merits of a proposed use or operation when determining an application for a lawful development certificate and the views expressed cannot, therefore, be taken into account in the determination of this application.”

Councillor Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, has previously welcomed the “owners’ ambition” for the film studio plan, including “retaining and reusing this significant building”.

Cllr Miller, speaking when the plans were announced, added he was “supportive of this emerging sector within the city – which represents a significant opportunity for the North East.”

The decision to approve the certificate of lawfulness for the site has been welcomed by Pallion councillor Martin Haswell.

Cllr Haswell said: “This certificate is the next step for these ambitious plans becoming a reality.

“The prospect of big budget blockbusters being filmed on Wearside is really capturing the imagination of local people.

“Whilst it is sad that the shipyard may be lost for industrial use, this is an exciting opportunity to deliver new jobs for local people in an exciting new sector for Sunderland.”

A Sunderland City Council spokesperson added: “Anyone can apply to the local planning authority to obtain a decision on whether an existing use or development, or a proposed use or development, is lawful for planning purposes or not.

“The council has determined, as set out in the decision notice, that the proposed use of the site is lawful.

“No further planning permission is required for the applicant to commence the proposed use of the site in accordance with the submitted details.”