ITV submits demolition plans to make way for its new London studios

ITV has submitted its plans to demolish its 45-year-old London Television Centre on the capital’s South Bank to make way for new offices as well as a residential tower block.

The new HQ, which has been designed by architect Hopkins, will vary in height from around five to 12 storeys.

If planning permission is granted, the building will intentionally get demolished in late 2018, with construction due to begin in 2019, and the building to be complete by 2022/23.

The environmental impact assessment, conducted by planning consultancy Cundall, said: “The proposed development will provide an increase of non-residential floorspace, with primary use being office space with subsidiary uses such as studio floor space, reception areas, galleries, production studios…”

This comes after ITV initially had plans to relocate entirely from its Southbank home, which included moving to the Olympic Park in Stratford or Battersea Power Station.

However, the broadcaster is staying put, with all of its London staff under one roof - although this means that three iconic buildings will be closed.

This includes the London Television Centre, opened in the 1970s, which produced TV shows like Blind Date and Upstairs Downstairs, as well as Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway.

However these closures will make way for new buildings, including 270 new homes, a new studio and a 38-storey residential tower block.

The new headquarters will include studios dedicated to ITV Daytime television, for shows like Good Morning Britain, Loose Women and This Morning.

An ITV spokesperson commented: “After giving careful consideration to all London property options, we are planning to build a modern, purpose-built HQ on our existing South Bank site, bringing together all of our London-based staff in one location for the first time.”

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