The fate of a scheme to build a TV studio for chat and game shows in Reading is set to be decided.
Plans for a TV studio at Thames Valley Science Park in Shinfield are set to be approved by the local planning authority.
The plan is being spearheaded by the University of Reading, which wants to erect a TV studio building which will host audience based chat and game shows inside of it in the future.
The TV studio will be capable of seating audiences of up to 600 people at maximum capacity for the biggest shows.
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As well as providing a location for science and innovation at Thames Valley Science Park, the University of Reading also wants it to be a hub for filming in the UK.
Darren Browne, Commercial Director of the University of Reading, said: “Due to the rise of new digital streaming services and the continued attraction of the UK as a location for filming and post-production work, demand for studio space has been increasing. This project is perfectly suited to help provide additional space for TV productions, alongside the separate Shinfield Studios film complex.
“This studio would support 150 full time equivalent roles involved in the running of the studios, such as engineers, electricians and office staff, as well as production roles including camera operators, sound engineers and lighting specialists, and for audience handling, such as catering and security.
“It would also present opportunities for students at the University of Reading and elsewhere to get hands-on experience of the television industry.”
The university wants to create what it calls ‘Cine Valley’ which will be centred around Shinfield Studios and the proposed TV studio.
Plans for Shinfield Studios with four sound stages and four workshops were approved in March.
While that planning application was centred around filming for movie and short film projects, the newest application is focused on filming for chat and game shows for TV companies.
While Shinfield Studios will only be a temporary fixture at Thames Valley Science Park for a total of five years, the TV Studio would be permanent.
Because it is a major application, it has to be discussed by the planning committee of Wokingham Borough Council, which Thames Valley Science Park and Shinfield falls within.
The plan has received the blessing of Shinfield Parish Council. A comment attached to it on the Wokingham Borough planning portal states: “The parish council fully support this development due to the prestige it brings to Shinfield Parish and the area, the financial investment, the boost to the local economy and the local jobs market and the boost it brings to the UK balance of trade.”
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The plan has been recommended for approval by Wokingham Borough planning officer Christopher Howard.
Approval would be subject to a Section 106 legal agreement which are payments made by the developer -in this case the University of Reading- to the borough which are used to fund vital infrastructure such as roads and other services.
The legal agreement has to be secured within six months of approval. If this is not done, the plan would be rejected.
It is due to be decided at Wokingham Borough Council’s planning committee meeting on Wednesday, July 14.
You can observe the plan yourself by typing reference 210210 into Wokingham’s planning portal: https://planning.wokingham.gov.uk/FastWebPL/welcome.asp
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