Is a new film studio a good use of green belt land?

The team behind Marlow Film Studios believed there was a rising demand from film-makers for more studio space in the UK. In May, Buckinghamshire Council rejected their proposals to build a new multi-million pound development and argued the project was inappropriate for green belt land.

The Planning Inspectorate will now review this decision after an appeal was made by the developer Dido Property Limited. The inquiry will investigate if the proposed site is the right place for another British film studio.

According to data from the British Film Institute (BFI) $4.23bn was spent on film and high-end TV production in 2023. Data for 2024 is not yet available.

Marlow Film Studios argued that Hertfordshire has "built a growing lead" in UK studio space and there was an opportunity for expansion in Buckinghamshire.

Buckinghamshire is already home to Pinewood Studios which has been used for the majority of the James Bond films.

In 2023 Wycombe Film Studio received planning permission to build a site in Marlow, near Wycombe Air Park, but in January the project was abandoned due to market uncertainty.

In 2023 members of the cast of Wicked, which stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, were in the county to film scenes in enormous outdoor sets built in Ivinghoe.

Marlow Film Studios said 75% of the UK Film and TV economy is located west of London and centred in Buckinghamshire.

They described the area as an "unparalleled 'industry cluster of creative and technical excellence".

The proposed site, a former gravel quarry and landfill, is adjacent to the A404 which the studio said would provide good transport links for London and Heathrow Airport.

The studio said: "Our partnerships within the local Marlow and High Wycombe communities, particularly with its young people, will help establish the studios as a true community asset.

"The studios will provide economic and job opportunities, and the chance to sustain Buckinghamshire at the centre of the country's fast-expanding creative sector."

Marlow Film Studios wants to build a 168,718 sqm development. which would include sound stages, workshops, backlots and unit bases.

There was also space set aside for incidental supporting buildings, security infrastructure, cafes and car parking.

The developers have also pledged investment into public infrastructure, including a new bus service, cycle routes and upgrades to the A404.

Plans also mentioned a new community building, publicly accessible recreational land and environmental enhancements such as habitat creation.

The British actor and film-maker, Andy Serkis, who is best known for his work on the Planet of the Apes and Lord of the Rings franchise, described the proposed studio as a "phenomenally well thought out idea".

He added: "I don't think you non-believers are fully cognisant of what this is going to bring to the the region and the country.

"It's going to be built on land that can never ever be used for anything else... It's not green belt, it's brown land."

James Cameron, a Canadian film-maker who also made Avatar, Aliens and the Terminator films, wrote to Buckinghamshire Council to share he was "impressed" by the studio plans.

He said it would be a good site to base his company, Lightstorm3D, and host a training centre for creatives working with 3D technology.

Chris Brock, who has worked on all the Mission: Impossible Films, said the development could become "the premier studio in the UK".

Councillors on the Buckinghamshire Strategic Sites Committee, who made the decision to reject the plans, said the proposed site was the wrong location for the film studio.

To build on green belt land the benefits of a project must outweigh any potential harms and the council believed "very special circumstances" had not been demonstrated on this occasion.

Concerns were also raised about the "severe impact on the safety and flow of users" on the nearby road network.

It was also argued the proposed development was in conflict with the Wycombe District Local Plan and would result in the loss of land that could be used to enhance Little Marlow Lakes Country Park.

They were also worried the studio would have a detrimental impact on people living nearby due to increased noise and traffic.

Some residents have criticised the proposed studio and 85% of those who voted on a poll ran by Little Marlow Paris Council said they opposed plans.

Robert Laycock, the CEO of Marlow Film Studios, however, said turnout for the poll was low and it was being used by groups to "suggest widespread opposition to our planning application".

Campaign group Save Marlow's Greenbelt has argued there was already enough studio space to meet the demand and "local young people are already well served by over ten studios that are within a 30-minute drive of Marlow".

In a statement to the BBC ahead of the inquiry Save Marlow's Greenbelt said it hoped the Planning Inspector would recommend the proposal for refusal.

It wrote: "Contrary to the property developers' claims, the area isn't derelict grey belt land. It is part of a Country Park which is rich in biodiversity and a valued resource for local people that contributes to their physical and mental health.

"A huge studio, and the thousands of associated commuter cars, would cause environmental damage, traffic chaos and social disruption.

"We do not believe that the studio's purported benefits are sufficient to outweigh this damage."

In October an appeal against this decision to reject the plans was made by developer Dido Property Limited.

The planning inspectorate will now start a public inquiry into the planning application.

Mr Laycock, said he was looking forward to working with the review team and said the project met national government goals.

Angela Rayner, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, will make the final decision after the inquiry concludes on 24 February.

Most of the inquiry will be held at Albert House, High Wycombe.

Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.