ITV Studios has submitted a full planning application to Leeds City Council seeking permanent permission to continue filming the drama series Emmerdale at its purpose-built Harewood Estate set in West Yorkshire.
Supported by Lambert Smith Hampton, the broadcaster aims to consolidate all temporary consents into a single permanent planning approval.
The current planning permission for the site, which includes Burden Head Farmstead and the iconic Woolpack pub, is set to expire on June 3, 2027.
The production site has served as the soap's primary exterior location since 1997.
Under existing terms, ITV Studios would be required to restore the land to its original condition within six months if permission is not extended.
Production Details and Economic Impact
According to planning documents, the Harewood set is utilized to film more than 260 episodes annually while providing a versatile layout for production demands.
"The Emmerdale Village Production Set provides a facility which adapts to the ever-changing needs of production," stated a planning report submitted to the council.
The application noted that these operational adjustments could include planned narrative developments or sudden changes triggered by weather, actor availability, or scheduling conflicts.
"Emmerdale Village was designed to include everything a typical rural village would have, including a village hall, café, church, residential dwellings and more," the planning report detailed.
ITV Studios emphasized that the location grants the show a distinct setting within British television by showcasing a rural community and agricultural life.
Exterior scenes and select indoor locations are filmed at Harewood, while additional interior sets are housed at ITV's Kirkstall Road studios in Leeds.
"The Emmerdale Village Production Set gives ITV Studios the unique ability to present stories that reflect a rural community, which is unique in UK television continuing drama as the other shows are urban in context," the report added.
The application highlights that retaining the current infrastructure presents a sustainable long-term solution for production.
"Consent is therefore sought to extend operations on-site on a permanent basis.
The continued use of the site represents a sustainable approach to production, retaining and reusing the existing set, buildings and infrastructure," the report stated.
Financially, the production supports approximately 156 full-time equivalent jobs in the Leeds district and around 340 across the wider Yorkshire and Humber region.
It generates an estimated £32.2 million in gross value added per year.
A report accompanying the submission emphasized that Emmerdale delivers broader socio-economic advantages, including entry-level opportunities for emerging industry talent and employee participation in community volunteering initiatives.
"Beyond these quantified impacts, Emmerdale delivers a range of wider socio economic benefits.
These include its role in supporting skills development and access to the creative industries through work experience placements and wider environmental and community benefits arising from staff participation in environmental initiatives and volunteering activity.
While these benefits are not readily quantifiable, they add further weight to the overall socio economic case for the continued operation of the production," the report noted.
The document further highlighted the show's role as a lower-cost training ground for creative and technical staff compared to high-end drama productions.
"As a continuing drama operating at scale and at a lower production cost than much high end television drama and feature film production, it provides a critical entry point to the industry for emerging talent both in front of and behind the camera.
Many individuals begin their careers on Emmerdale, developing craft, technical and creative skills within a high volume production environment before progressing elsewhere in the sector," the document added.
The public consultation period for the planning application remains open until August 13, prior to a final determination by Leeds City Council planners.
