Elstree sound stages to be demolished over RACC

Three iconic film stages at Elstree Film Studios in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, are set to be demolished due to the presence of asbestos and deteriorating reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).

The decision was approved by the planning committee at Hertsmere Borough Council (HBC), which owns the studios, during a meeting in December, paving the way for the demolition of stages seven, eight, and nine between January and August 2024. 

The deteriorating condition of the structures, coupled with the discovery of asbestos in 2022, led HBC to deem the roofs as unsafe and beyond their useful life. A previous report from HBC estimated the cost of removing the asbestos could be as high as £150 million. Experts have also highlighted concerns about the RAAC concrete, which can degrade after 30 years. In July 2023, HBC revealed removing the asbestos would cost at least £150 million.

Dating back to the 1960s, the historic sound stages at Elstree have a rich history, having been used for filming Star Wars since 1977, various scenes from the Indiana Jones films, and the 2014 movie Paddington. Notably, stage eight housed the BBC's Pointless, while stage nine was utilized by ITV to film Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? during the 2000s. 

The decision to demolish the three stages marks the end of an era for Elstree Film Studios, raising questions about the future plans for reconstruction and the preservation of the site's cinematic legacy.