Plans by developer Capital&Centric to transform the iconic former Littlewoods building into a new, world-class film and TV campus can now proceed.

Enabling works on the 1930s Edge Lane building, including demolition of the structurally unsafe clock tower have been completed.

Talks are underway with contractors to deliver the main restoration works and rebuild the clock.

Iconic art deco building will be retored and turned into space for the creative industries as well as a giant food hall for the public

Subject to the next tranche of funding being agreed, the go-ahead from the council will kick start the main restoration works, including two new 20,000 sq.ft studios for big budget productions, as well as spaces for offices, workshops, studio support facilities and an education facility.

The planned new sound stages will take around a year to be built and become operational. The programme for repurposing the existing building is longer due to the complexity of dealing with the existing structures.

The team behind the Littlewoods Project includes architect shedkm and planners Avison Young.

At the same meeting City planners also gave the go-ahead to plans for a £58m revamp of the Martin Luther King building, which houses the International Slavery Museum, and the adjacent Maritime Museum.

International Slavery Museum and Maritime Museum plan designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios

The museums on the Royal Albert Dock will close in early 2025 for three years during the upgrade.

It will see the two Grade I-listed buildings link up to bring displays on the history of the slave trade together.

The plans include a new slanted entrance pavilion outside the Martin Luther King building

Works will see the entrance of the International Slavery Museum move into the Dr Martin Luther King Jr building, formerly the dock traffic office.

The client project team includes Atelier Ten as MEP engineer, structural engineer AKT II and Ridge & Partners as cost consultant.