EastEnders bosses submit plans to expand 87m set

'EastEnders' bosses are hoping to add three new sets by building on a backlot where the old Albert Square was.

The BBC forked out £87 million for a new set, which opened last year at Elstree, Hertfordshire, and new planning documents submitted to the local council have revealed a parade of shops and houses feature in the new expansion plans.

A source told The Sun newspaper: "Bosses don’t want the old set to go to waste when there’s so much that can be done with it for Walford.

"It’s going to open up the soap’s world even more for more drama and more high-stakes storylines.

"'Corrie' and 'Emmerdale' both have huge sets and expansions and with this there’s no danger 'EastEnders' will be left behind."

Bosses are also hoping to get the green light for a bigger allotment area, to enable more outdoor filming, and Albert Square's park is to be revamped.

The first episodes filmed on the new set aired in spring 2022, and last year, 'EastEnders' bosses told how the new set would allow for extra storyline "flexibility", including more car and foot chases in Albert Square.

Director Richard Lynn said at the time: "Chase scenes on the old lot would inevitably have gone in one direction only, because there were so many dead ends.

"There is much more flexibility now - more places for the goodies to hide and the baddies to come together.

"I’d really like to do a foot chase in the alleys or back gardens."

Production manager Rona McKendrick admitted the old set had to be updated due to safety fears.

She said: "The lot got shabbier and shabbier.

"Once the rain and the wind got in, it really started degrading. In recent years, it became unsafe in winds - you could see the chimneys wobbling."

Filming began on the new set in January 2022, after the old Albert Square - which was built in 1984 with an intention to be used for two years - was no longer fit for purpose.

The BBC said at the time: "The investment in the BBC’s longest-running TV serial drama and wider BBC Elstree Centre enables improved HD for our audiences and enhanced filming options.

"'EastEnders' production are now able to explore new areas on screen and writers, producers and directors have greater freedom to drive further creativity."