Marlow Film Studios decision deferred until next year

An artist's impression shows the proposed entrance to Marlow Film Studios next to the A404

A decision on plans for a film studio supported by a James Bond film director and opposed by green belt campaigners has been deferred.

Buckinghamshire Council will now decide on the plans in March next year.

Campaign groups such as Save Marlow's Green Belt said more than 1,000 people opposed the plan for the Marlow quarry.

Sam Mendes, director of Bond films Skyfall and Spectre, wrote a letter of support "as a resident of South Bucks and member of the film community".

He described the planned studio as "exactly what the industry and economy need right now".

Sam Mendes wrote a letter supporting the plans for Marlow Film Studios

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

Planning officers had recommended that planning permission was refused for the studio, however councillors instead voted to defer the decision so further analysis could take place.

The committee wanted to further consider greenbelt and highways issues linked to the A404.

There were five votes in favour of the plan and five against.

Chairman councillor Alan Turner, who had the deciding vote, said he believed deferring the decision to be "the safest route".

"I'm the last person who wants to see green belt disappear, but I'm also minded of the impacts, not just the negative impacts but the positive impacts, of what a development might bring forward," he said.

Robert Laycock said Marlow Film studio could provide new opportunities for people to enter the film industry

During the meeting Robert Laycock, chief executive of Marlow Film Studios, said it was "possibly the saddest day of my professional life".

The company said the plan could deliver more than 4,000 jobs.