Film studios proposal to go to planning inquiry

The complex would extend over 43-hectares (106-acres) of land at Holyport

Proposals to build one of the UK's biggest film and TV studio complexes are set to go to a planning appeal.

Investment company Greystoke Land submitted plans to build sound stages, offices and workshops near the village of Holyport, near Maidenhead, in Berkshire, creating 1,500 jobs.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead refused to grant planning permission earlier this year, citing its impact on the greenbelt.

The developer appealed the decision and the project is set to be discussed at a planning inquiry scheduled for November.

The plans for Holyport Studios, announced in 2022, were for a complex extending over 43-hectares (106-acres) of land on Gay's Lane, split into three areas.

The sound stages, workshops and offices would allow multiple film and TV productions to be shot on the same day and at the same time.

A "media village" would include a virtual reality studio offering CGI creation, augmented and virtual reality and gaming, while there would also be an area for open-air filming.

Councillors turned down the development which would be on greenbelt land.

The plans were turned down with the council citing the impact on the greenbelt

Greystoke Land has appealed to the government’s planning inspectorate, asking it to overturn the council’s decision.

In an argument on behalf of Greystoke, property consultants Montagu Evans said: “In the context of the current economy of the UK, this is exactly the type of development that the current and future governments will encourage to boost the national and local economy.”

The firm said the studios – which would be "the third largest film studio in the country" – needed sufficient space and to be located near to other film industry sites in west London and the south east.

The council argued the economic case for the studios was "overstated" as a number of others have already been built around the south east of England.

It cited statistics from the British Film Institute that film and TV production volumes fell by 25% between 2022 and 2024.

The inquiry is due to be held at York House in Windsor from 12 November.