The decision to officially scrap the £700 million Sunset Waltham Cross Studios project is yet another missed opportunity for Broxbourne.
Announced in 2021, the Sunset Waltham Cross Studios project was set to be the UK’s largest film studio, spanning 91 acres near the M25. The development, backed by Blackstone and Hudson Pacific Properties, aimed to create thousands of jobs and establish Broxbourne as a major hub for the UK’s booming film and TV production industry. It was expected to provide significant economic benefits by attracting high-profile productions and supporting local businesses. However, in 2023, the project was paused due to changing global market conditions, leading to prolonged uncertainty and, ultimately, its cancellation.
The project stalled under the previous Conservative government due to changes in global market conditions. The developers, Blackstone and Hudson Pacific Properties, paused the project in 2023, citing unfavourable market conditions that impacted film studios across the UK. This pause—well before any change in government—created uncertainty around the project’s future, and now, the decision has been made to seek alternative uses for the site.
The Conservatives’ handling of the economy over the past few years has been nothing short of disastrous. Under Boris Johnson, the UK faced a chaotic response to COVID-19, leading to excessive public spending without a clear long-term economic strategy. Liz Truss then made matters worse with her reckless mini-budget in 2022, which triggered market panic, sent mortgage rates soaring, and caused a crash in the value of the pound. Finally, under Rishi Sunak, economic stagnation continued, with the UK grappling with high inflation, cost-of-living pressures, and declining business investment. This series of failures created an unstable economic environment, making large-scale projects like Sunset Studios increasingly unviable.
Despite this, local Conservative figures have been quick to point fingers at the Labour government. The facts tell a different story. The decision to scrap the studios is a direct consequence of the pause initiated under Conservative leadership. If the previous administration had successfully secured and protected the project during more favourable conditions, we would not be facing this loss today.
What’s particularly frustrating is that this is not the first major development in Broxbourne to be mishandled. The Council’s mismanagement of the Delamere Road site set a troubling precedent. Now, we are witnessing yet another failure to deliver a key project that would have supported local businesses and boosted the local economy.
The Council must now focus on ensuring that whatever alternative use is found for the Sunset Studios site aligns with Broxbourne’s economic needs. The site remains a strategic employment location in the Borough’s Local Plan, and its future must be handled with care. Rather than engaging in political blame games, local leaders should be working collaboratively to secure the best outcome for Broxbourne residents.
The bottom line is simple: this is a Conservative failure—it is a failure that was set in motion long before the current government took office. If Broxbourne is to thrive, it needs proactive leadership, not finger-pointing and revisionist history.