With the discovery in 2022 of RAAC and asbestos in stages 7, 8 and 9 at the legendary Elstree Studios, their days were numbered so it comes as no surprise that last Thursday saw Hertsmere Borough Council give final permission for these iconic stages – home to Star Wars, Indiana Jones and so many more classic productions – to be demolished next year, and rebuilt in accordance with modern construction protocols.
The planning committee at Hertsmere Borough Council (HBC) gave the go-ahead at a meeting on Thursday for the demolition of stages seven, eight and nine, which would take place between January and August 2024. Construction workers found asbestos in the building in 2022.
HBC said the roofs in these buildings – which were first used in the 1960s – “had not only lost their useful life but were in a dangerous state”. Building experts also say RAAC concrete can deteriorate after 30 years.
HBC, which owns Elstree Film Studios, previously agreed to rebuild the stages in the future, although plans remain unclear.
Back in 2012, Stage 7 – the stage that was home to the very first shot of A New Hope and the final shot filmed for Revenge of the Sith – was host to Elstree Empire Day, an incredible event celebrating the home of the original trilogy with guests including producer Gary Kurtz, Art Director Norman Reynolds, Camera Operator Ronnie Taylor, Clapper Loader Jamie Harcort, Specialist Painter Ron Punter, 2nd Unit Camera Operator Geoff Glover, Focus Puller Peter Taylor, Wardrobe Supervisor Toby Lofthouse and Mark Hamill’s stunt double Colin Skeaping joined onscreen talent Dave Prowse, Kenny Baker, Rusty Goffe.
With the sad closure recently of 32TEN Studios in San Francisco, another iconic location departs.
