Saturday, December 5, 2015

Two years thinking

Let's put a little bracket around previous posts about the new Eastenders set.

In January 2014, the BBC Executive announced approval of plans for Eastenders to move to a new temporary set at Elstree, whilst the old one was demolished and rebuilt. At the time, one of my richly-crafted comedy creations, Sid Hardball, decried this as nonsense. Build once, he said, if at all.

In the same month, the BBC invited tenders for the construction of both new sets, estimating total costs at £15m.

In March 2014, they lodged a planning application for the scheme with Hertsmere Borough Council. It was approved in June 2014.

In July 2014, they started a review of costs. At least, that's what they told Hertsmere when, in August 2015, they lodged a new planning application, which would see the temporary set become permanent, and the old set would eventually be demolished.

On November 16th the second planning application was approved, but the BBC has to pay £46,000 to the council to help with traffic regulation and "the environment".

Here's what you'll get when it's finished. Whenever that is.




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