Firm appealing decision to reject film studio plan

Marlow Film Studios said the plan would "improve a despoiled former landfill site"

A company behind multi-million pound plans to build a film studio that were rejected by councillors has said it is appealing against the decision.

Marlow Film Studios (MFS) wanted to build a new film and TV facility on the site of a former quarry near Marlow, in Buckinghamshire.

But the proposals - backed by the film directors Sam Mendes and James Cameron - were rejected by a Buckinghamshire Council committee, amid concerns it was an inappropriate development for greenbelt land.

Now MFS has said it intends to appeal to the Planning Inspectorate, and will request a public inquiry is held.

The proposed site of the new studio, which councillors decided was inappropriate for green belt land

In a statement, MFS said: "We remain confident of the strength of our case, and of the benefits that our investment will bring to the local community and the wider national economy."

Planning officers recommended that councillors reject the plan. In October 2023, a decision was deferred. The plan was eventually refused in May.

The proposal had faced opposition from groups including Save Marlow's Greenbelt.

In a statement reacting to news of the MFS appeal, it said: "We are surprised that the developers have decided to appeal given the strength of the refusal by Buckinghamshire Council and their inability to mitigate the significant harm that the studio would cause.

"However, we will continue to fight against it and look forward to participating in the inquiry."

In a new statement, MFS said it believed the scheme would strengthen the UK's position in the film and TV sector and create 4,000 jobs.

'A despoiled former landfill site'

It read: "We will be investing in vital local traffic infrastructure and sustainable public transport and will provide significant improvements to the local community.

"We believe that our proposed campus and the landscaped area around it have been designed to an exemplary standard.

"The investment presents a significant opportunity to utilise and substantially improve a despoiled former landfill site."