'EastEnders' have been given the go-ahead for a £15 million set makeover by planning chiefs.
Albert Square
The Albert Square set, which is based in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, will be demolished and made 20 per cent bigger complete with new shops, a high street and a new Walford East Tube station.
According to The Sun, planning bosses have given the green light for the process, which will include characters' houses being built with real brick rather than their current facades.
Officials are said to have asked for the work to be started within the next three years but no exact date has been given.
Changes are being made to the set to keep up with demands of high-definition TV.
Initial plans were announced last year and executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins said at the time: "This is a really exciting project and firmly demonstrates the BBC's commitment to the future of EastEnders.
"We have ambitious plans for the show and the new exterior set will help bring those to life and better reflect the East End of London on screen for audiences.
"The bigger and improved set will increase the potential for storylines, increase quality and meet the demands of future technology requirements.
"Crucially, it will provide a greater sense of scale with more locations for our characters to spend time in, opening up new areas and opportunities that haven't been possible before - all of which are in the best interest of our viewers."