Emmerdale fights to secure soap's set permanently - with key argument

Emmerdale's current exterior village set in Harewood, an estate in West Yorkshire, has been in use since 1997, with the initial 10-year permission being extended a further 20, meaning it officially expires in June 2027.

Naturally, show bosses are keen to be granted further rights to continue filming there on a permanent basis.

In a slew of public documents submitted to Leeds County Council, ITV cited a number of environmental issues that could arise should they be forced to tear down the existing set and relocate, noting their dedication to become a net zero carbon business by 2030.

Related: Emmerdale bosses seek permission to keep filming on iconic village set

In a document seeking to lock down the façade used as the village restaurant, The Hide, ITV argued: "A relocation of this set away from the Emmerdale Village would have a big impact on our carbon footprint as cast, crew and all the facility vehicles listed above would need to travel to different locations.

"Mobile generators would also be required to power temporary facilities giving rise to potential noise issues and harming the neighbouring community.

"Keeping the set permanently allows us to work within our existing land agreement and on track to achieve our ITV net zero 2030 climate action strategy."

ITV enlisted the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust to support their proposal, with planning ecologist Tim Stratton submitting his own letter in favour of the application.

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"YWT are in alignment with the Landscape Team in that we also view the proposed [...] as being a positive proposal," reads his submission.

Burden Head, a farmhouse that sits at the entrance to the external village set and is used on-screen as Home Farm's groundsman cottage, with its stables also utilised for various other fictional locations, was also noted as imperative to the show's operations.

"[...] Burden Head Farmstead, which due to its size can be utilised as a swing-set, providing flexibility for the production operations on-site, whilst providing a long-term use for these existing buildings and reducing the need to travel to off-site locations for exterior shots."

Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 8pm on ITV1, and streams on ITVX.

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