The four acre studio space has received planning permission from the local council and is expected be completed by late 2017.

Elstree Studios, the UK home to Star Wars in the 1970s and more recently The Danish Girl, has received clearance for a plotted upgrade to its studio offering.

Planning permission has been granted by Hertsmere Borough Council for the four acre development which will be built at the back of the current complex.

The new-build is a 1,950 sqm stage [larger than the current George Lucas stage, pictured] with connected scenery storage, workshops and production offices. The facility is aiming to be operational by late 2017.

A planning committee voted unanimously in favour of the application. The councillors said in a statement: “Elstree Studios is a jewel in Hertsmere’s crown and we should encourage their endeavours in every way.”

Work begin on clearing the space in 2013, with the $6.5m project funded by the council.

In recent years, Elstree has been a popular destination for high-end television series. In 2015, the studio reported record sales with productions including the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing and Netflix’s The Crown.

Elstree Studios’ managing director Roger Morris commented: “We already have clients who wish to use the new stage once it is built. It will probably be the best multipurpose film and TV stage in the UK.”