Bids from McAlpine and ISG hit cutting room floor

The race to build the TV and film studio for Sky in Hertfordshire that was submitted for planning this week has narrowed to three firms, Building understands.

Lendlease and Bam have been joined on the shortlist by VolkerFitzpatrick after pitches from ISG and Sir Robert McAlpine, the firm behind the £200m expansion of Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, failed to make the cut.

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

The job is understood to have a price tag north of £200m and 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.