Councillors in Surrey Heath have unanimously approved plans for almost 14,000 sq m of workshop and soundstage space at Longcross Studios.
Netflix Studios’ plans to demolish several smaller buildings on the site for the new development was approved by SHBC’s planning committee on February 19.
However the 13.2-hectare Green Belt site, considered to qualify as Grey Belt, is split between two neighbouring councils – 4.7 hectares is in Surrey Heath while 8.5 hectares are within the Runnymede Borough Council area.
Runnymede will consider the same plans on Wednesday, February 25 and like Surrey Heath, officers have recommended approval.
Despite the unanimous approval at Surrey Heath, there was concern about the applicant’s claim of economic benefits to the local area.
Cllr Victoria Wheeler said: “In terms of a boon to the local economy I would love to know how because people come in, film and go again. I can assure you there’s no economic benefit to the nearest village by what’s going on there at all.”
But Cllr Julie Hoad offered her own experience of economic benefits. She said: “I operate an Airbnb as do many people I know, and we get probably 50 per cent of our bookings, at certain times of the year, from people at Longcross.
“They are self-employed so they are price sensitive. They have to find their own accommodation, they are not put up in hotels so they stay locally, they eat out locally, they shop locally and use local amenities.
“They come in, they go and the next lot come in for the next job.
“I can say from personal experience, the nature of filming at Longcross drives a lot of people to the area because they are working away from home.”
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