The new set of EastEnders is finally beginning to take shape- four years after plans were submitted to replace the current one at London’s Elstree Studios.
Aerial photos show a revamped and HD-ready Albert Square complete with the BBC soap’s recognisable terraced houses, block of flats, railway line and the Queen Vic.
The replica is already expected to go £27 million over budget – costing around £86.7million in total – and will be completed two-and-half years later than planned.
Progress: The new set of EastEnders is finally beginning to take shape- four years after plans were submitted to replace the current one at London’s Elstree Studios
Huge progress has been made since March, where the plot was almost empty apart from scaffolding and building appliances.
Eight months on, Albert Square is beginning to take shape with the main structural work of the Queen Vic and Walford’s terraced houses having been completed.
EastEnders’ fans will be happy to see the new square will have all the old favourites including a new block of luxury flats, railway tunnel and line.
Exciting: The new set is predicted to be ready for filming in 2023 (pictured L-R) Nancy Carter (Maddy Hill), Johnny (Sam Strike), Linda (Kellie Bright), Mick Danny Dyer), Shirley(Linda Henry) and Tina (Luisa Bradshaw White)
Building works: Aerial photos show a revamped and HD-ready Albert Square complete with the BBC soap’s recognisable terraced houses, block of flats, railway line and the Queen Vic
30 years on: The current set (pictured far left) was built in 1984 using steel frames, plywood and plaster brick panels. It was intended to last only two years
Renovation: The BBC is working on building a new EastEnders set (left) in Elstree on the other side of the studio complex to the current one (right)
Construction work: Houses begin to take shape in Albert Square
Well under way: The railway line and tunnel is in the process of being built (pictured left, right current set)
The current set was built in 1984 using steel frames, plywood and plaster brick panels. It was intended to last only two years.
The poor quality of construction means high-definition filming is not possible, while health and safety concerns have caused delays to filming.
The updated set will allow the crew to film the programme in HD as bosses feared filming above standard definition on the current set would allow viewers to notice the fronts of the Queen Vic and its surrounding buildings are made of plaster and plywood.
Made of bricks: The updated set will allow the crew to film the programme in HD as bosses feared filming above standard definition on the current set would allow viewers to notice the fronts of the Queen Vic are made of plaster and plywood
Expensive: Costs of the new project (pictured) at the studios in Hertfordshire have spiralled and it is £27million over the original budget
The BBC is building the new ‘front lot’ – a brickwork replica of the current set – and a ‘back lot’ which will provide extra locations to ‘better reflect modern East End London’.
It has been reported that one of the new locations will be a mosque.
The front lot is expected to cost £54.7million – 75 per cent more than planned – after it took 11 months for the BBC to negotiate with its contractor Wates.
Construction began on the project- named E20- earlier this year, while the back lot is still ‘at an early design stage’.
Responsibility for the E20 project lies with Richard Dawkins, the £195,000-a-year chief operating officer of BBC Content.
Push backs: The replica is already expected to go £27 million over budget and will be completed two-and-half years later than planned
Recognisable: Eight months on, Albert Square is beginning to take shape with the main structural work of Queen Vic and Walford’s terraced houses having been completed
New front lot: The BBC is building the new ‘front lot’ – a brickwork replica of the current set – and a ‘back lot’ which will provide extra locations to ‘better reflect modern East End London’
Pricey: The front lot is expected to cost £54.7million – 75 per cent more than planned – after it took 11 months for the BBC to negotiate with its contractor Wates
Walford: EastEnders’ fans will be happy to see that the new square will have all the old favourites including a new block of luxury flats
Renovation: The BBC said: ‘The set of EastEnders was built in 1984 and only intended for use for two years. Over 30 years later, the show remains one of the BBC’s flagship programmes and yet is filming from a set that is no longer fit for purpose’
A damning National Audit Office report published last December found the BBC’s poor planning and lack of expertise means it will cost 45 per cent more.
The NAO says the Corporation ‘will not be able to deliver value for money’ with the project, named E20 after the soap opera’s fictional Walford postcode, which is being funded entirely from the £150.50-a-year TV licence fee.
The BBC said in a statement: ‘The set of EastEnders was built in 1984 and only intended for use for two years. Over 30 years later, the show remains one of the BBC’s flagship programmes and yet is filming from a set that is no longer fit for purpose.’
‘The new set will be suitable for HD filming for the first time and extend Walford to better reflect modern East End London.’
Oh dear: A damning National Audit Office report published last December found the BBC’s poor planning and lack of expertise means it will cost 45 per cent more