Rebellion Film Studios has secured planning consent for the expansion of its film-making capacity in Didcot into a new 4673 sq m facility. The planning consent was obtained on its behalf by National property consultancy Carter Jonas.
Oxford-based Rebellion is one of Europe’s largest independent cross-media studios, producing content across video games, film, and TV production, as well as comic book and fiction publishing. Its Didcot film studio will now expand into the former Harmsworth Printing Building in Didcot, Oxfordshire.
The planning consent allows for the demolition of two existing print buildings and the erection of two new buildings, which will add 4673m² of purpose-built space. Rebellion Film Studios is one of the first studios to incorporate games, TV, and film production to offer innovative opportunities for storytelling across genres and mediums. This considerable expansion of its facilities will enable Rebellion to extend its capabilities further.
Brian Mitchell, Head of Rebellion Film Studios, said: “After several years working on a range of film productions at all the major Studios across the UK and Europe, we’ve been able to draw on that knowledge and incorporate it into the design and development of the Didcot site. It’s been a pleasure working with both Carter Jonas and the team from SIAD. It’s certainly made my job a lot easier.”
Simon Dawson, Managing Director at SIAD Ltd, said: “SIAD is proud to be responsible for the first step of another successful design & build project. Working closely with Rebellion Film Studios & Carter Jonas, SIAD developed a design brief to maximise the sites potential utilising 3D laser scanning, BIM modelling & 3D visualisations.”
Nicky Brock, Partner at Carter Jonas in Oxford, said: “After initially acting as land agent for Rebellion Film Studios’ purchase of the Didcot site several years ago, Carter Jonas is very pleased to have achieved planning consent for this important extension.
“In particular, we are delighted that through working closely with the Vale of White Horse District Council in the pre-app and planning application stages, we have been able to avoid pre-commencement conditions, meaning that work can start on site without the delay which usually follows the granting of planning permission.”
In achieving planning success, Carter Jonas worked alongside project designers and project managers SIAD Limited.