Council will support studio complex's refusal

The decision on the planning application will be taken by Angela Rayner

A council will defend its decision to refuse permission for a huge new film studio complex at a public inquiry.

The fate of the project to build sound stages, offices and workshops in Holyport, near Maidenhead, will ultimately be decided by deputy minister and housing secretary Angela Rayner.

Investment company Greystoke Land said it would be the third-largest film studios in the country and would bring 1,500 jobs to land by Gays Lane.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM) refused to grant planning permission in March, citing its impact on the green belt.

Adam Bermange, the council’s cabinet member for planning, said: “We stand by our decision to refuse permission for a film studio in Holyport and will be defending this at the public inquiry next month.

“We cannot comment any further as the appeal process is ongoing.”

Greystoke appealed to the Planning Inspectorate to overturn RBWM’s decision and a hearing is due to start on 12 November.

It said there are “very special circumstances” that mean that it should go ahead and that the council has exaggerated the damage that would be done to the green belt.

Ms Rayner will take the final decision following a recommendation from a planning inspector after the inquiry.

In a letter to RBWM, the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government said she had taken the decision to determine it because it has “more than local significance”.