EastEnders ‘have huge plans to expand Walford and create dozens more filming locations’ – a year after new £87million set was finally completed
EastEnders reportedly have huge multi-million pound plans to expand their set with a new backlot to create dozens of new filming locations.
The BBC soap is planning to add three new sets, according to The Sun who have seen planning documents submitted to the local council.
It comes a year after EastEnders‘ new £87million set was finally completed after five years of work hampered by the coronavirus pandemic and backlash over soaring costs.
In the proposals there is a new large warehouse set, a collection of shops and houses and an area with nine shipping containers where the old Albert Square used to be, the publication claims.
The allotment and park areas are also reportedly set to be expanded giving more outdoor green space for filming.
Vast: EastEnders reportedly have huge multi-million pound plans to expand their set with a new backlot to create dozens of new filming locations
Impressive: The BBC soap is planning to add three new sets, according to The Sun who have seen planning documents submitted to the local council (Patsy Kensit pictured in the park)
A source said: ‘Bosses don’t want the old set to go to waste when there’s so much that can be done with it for Walford.
‘It’s going to open up the soap’s world even more for more drama and more high-stakes storylines.
‘Corrie and Emmerdale both have huge sets and expansions and with this there’s no danger EastEnders will be left behind.’
EastEnders have been contacted by MailOnline for comment.
Last March EastEnders’ new £87million set was finally completed after five years of work hampered by the coronavirus pandemic and backlash over soaring costs.
The Elstree set features all of Albert Square’s familiar landmarks, including the Queen Victoria pub, the Arches and Walford East station – with the project originally intended for completion in August 2018.
The soap previously sparked speculation and questions about upcoming storylines after it was reported show bosses were considering the inclusion of a mosque on the new set, right next door to the Prince Albert pub.
A BBC statement said that the new production home ‘enables improved HD for our audiences and enhanced filming options’.
Huge: In the proposals there is a new large warehouse set, a collection of shops and houses and an area with nine shipping containers where the old Albert Square used to be, the publication claims
Plans: The allotment and park areas are also reportedly set to be expanded giving more outdoor green space for filming
The BBC spent millions on building a brand new set for EastEnders after the old site was deemed ‘not fit for purpose’ back in 2016, and sparked fury with the vast sum.
After sparking fury over licence fee payers’ value for money, the new set has now been up and running for a year.
The old set was built in 1984, with the intention of only being used for two years.
The new set has been erected right next to the old set, based in Elstree Studios in Borehamwood.
What began as a rubble patch of land adjacent to the show’s original set was transformed into the fictional East London enclave, after builders returned to work following a disruption prompted by the Covid outbreak and Britain’s subsequent lockdowns.
Many of Albert Square’s most iconic landmarks were recreated for the new set, including the Queen Vic pub, Mitchell brothers’ mechanics garage, the Beale’s fish and chip shop and Ruby Allen’s night club.
The investment in the BBC’s longest-running TV serial drama enabled improves HD experience for the audience and enhanced filming options.
Space: A source said: ‘Bosses don’t want the old set to go to waste when there’s so much that can be done with it for Walford’
Busy: Last March EastEnders’ new £87million set was finally completed after five years of work hampered by the coronavirus pandemic and backlash over soaring costs
EastEnders production are now able to explore new areas on screen and writers, producers and directors have greater freedom to drive further creativity.
Back in 2018, the BBC was accused of ‘outrageously overspending’ licence fee cash after it emerged that EastEnders’ new set would cost £86.7million.
That was £27million over the original budget – and the project was expected to be nearly five years late.
The BBC was accused of ‘complacency’ over the astonishing £87 million bill for its new EastEnders set in March 2020.
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