Plans for film studios halted as developer folds

Construction on a new film studio at a former quarry has been halted after the developer behind the project closed down.

Plans for the Home of Production studio at Quest Pit, near Stewartby were approved by Central Bedfordshire Council in August 2023.

The development off Ampthill Road, which was due be operational this year, would have included multiple sound stages, workshops and on-site accommodation for staff.

The US firm, Cathexis, which owned the developer Verb Create Holdings ltd, said it was in confidential discussions regarding development of the site.

Cathexis owned the construction firm ISG, which collapsed last year.

Verb Create Holdings ltd was part of ISG and is listed on Companies House as "active proposal to strike off" - the process of removing a company from the register after it has been closed down.

Katya Baker, who was paid by Verb Create Holdings ltd as a consultant on the project working under her company Quartermaster, said her role was to secure funds and planning consent, which she achieved, but a week after it was granted she was told to "stand down".

Ms Baker said "it was a huge blow as I had put my everything into HOP" which she believed would be "a great success".

HOP was a brand set up by various partners including the developer and Quartermaster, Ms Baker said. The BBC has approached HOP for comment.

She added: "Ultimately, the decision was called by the investor behind Verb and ISG, on matters unrelated to the studio arena, although I am sure that the industry strikes at that time did not help, and ran in parallel with Sunset Studio going on hold which was significant news within the market."

David Kohler, who owns the land at Quest Pit, told the BBC he had signed a non-disclosure agreement and would not comment further.

Central Bedfordshire Council said "it was aware that the film studio is no longer being processed by Home of Production".

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