In a decision taken yesterday (26 November), housing and planning minister Matthew Pennycook overruled Buckinghamshire Council to push through a 168,000m2 production facility for film and TV on a former gravel extraction site in Marlow.

The project, for developer Dido Property, was rejected in May 2024 over concerns about building on green-belt land. The then housing secretary Angela Rayner decided to call in the application, which the planning inspectorate described as a development of ‘major importance’ with ‘more than local significance’.

In his ruling, Pennycook said the ‘world-class, Grade A, purpose-built film studios would attract global revenue and support the UK in its drive to become a global leader in this field’ as well as delivering ‘facilities to be used for educational community uses, private hire and cultural events’.

Buckinghamshire cabinet member for planning Peter Strachan said the council was ‘incredibly disappointed’ by the decision, and pointed to ‘serious and unresolved issues’ which included the ‘inappropriate’ development of protected green belt land, concerns around landscape impact, residential amenities, traffic, infrastructure and sustainability.

Strachan continued: ‘We recognise the importance of supporting the UK’s creative industries and welcome investment that brings genuine benefits to our communities.

‘However, we believe that such development must be delivered in the right place, with the right infrastructure, and in a way that respects the environment, local character and protects our residents’ amenities.’

The Marlow proposals include six sound stages, offices and workshops housed in two clusters, with facilities able to form ‘self-contained’ units for filming blockbusters. A central hub includes screening rooms, an exhibition space, café, restaurants and office accommodation.

WilkinsonEyre was appointed to design the facility after winning an architectural competition in 2021.

Yesterday’s approval comes as the practice reported ‘another good year’ in its accounts released on Tuesday. Pre-tax profit almost doubled to the year ending 31 March 2025, up to just shy of £5 million, while turnover increased slightly from £24.5 million to £25 million. Staff numbers remained steady at 180.

Commenting on the film studio approval, the practice’s practice managing director, Oliver Tyler, said: ‘Our proposals work hard to create a complex at Marlow that embodies a genuine sense of place and marries into the existing landscape.’

Alongside the saw-toothed roofs of the planned workshops and offices, and the contrasting flat-roofed studios, WilkinsonEyre has included a new community building designed for the ‘benefit of local residents and groups’.

To ensure year-round activity on the site, areas of the development are reserved for businesses’ use, particularly those that support film and TV production.

Marlow Film Studios chief executive Robert Laycock said: ‘WilkinsonEyre’s brief was clear from the outset: to design the premier film and media studio complex in the UK.

‘Their designs certainly deliver this, while the studios also promise to become a true community asset, providing economic and job opportunities for the local area, and the chance to sustain Buckinghamshire at the centre of the country’s fast-expanding creative sector.’

The scheme hopes to capitalise on an expanding film and TV production industry in the UK, which grew by 31 per cent from 2023-4 to a total spend of £5.6 billion.

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