Elstree scheme will include sound stages and production offices

Bam is in pole position for the high-profile deal to build a £230m TV and film studios for Sky in Hertfordshire, Building understands.

The firm, which declined to comment, is believed to have edged out remaining rivals Lendlease and VolkerFitzpatrick for the deal at Elstree in Hertfordshire after their bids hit the cutting room floor.

Pitches from ISG and Sir Robert McAlpine, the firm behind the £200m expansion of Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, fell earlier in the race.

Bam, which last week was given the green light to start work on the £350m Manchester Arena, which will be known as Co-op Live after it struck a naming rights deal with the venue’s US developer Oak View Group, is expected to pick up the bulk of the work on offer but it is understood Sky is looking at parcelling up some packages separately.

The broadcaster, which was bought for £30bn by US firm Comcast last year, said the 32 acre complex is being developed in partnership with sister firm NBCUniversal.

The job will include 14 sound stages, production offices, a set construction workshop, a screening cinema and state-of-the-art post-production and digital facilities.

Others working on the scheme (pictured) include project manager Potter Raper and UMC Architects, which specialises in designing industrial projects such as distribution and logistics.

Canadian engineer Stantec and Scottish structural and civil engineer Fairhurst are also involved in the job.

Sky said the plans will allow it to produce more content in-house and also host major film productions from Comcast-owned firms including Universal Pictures and Focus Features.

Pensions giant Legal & General is bankrolling the deal.

Bam and Lendlease are both on the shortlist for another high-profile arts job – the £250m main contract role for the Museum of London in Farringdon. The pair have been joined on the list by Mace.