Plans for 43 hectares of film and TV studios on Green Belt land at Maidenhead have been recommended for refusal.

Greystoke Land applied to the Royal Borough for planning permission for Holyport Studios in 2022 and the Maidenhead development management committee is due to make its decision on Wednesday, March 20.

The £106 million scheme would create 700 new jobs but more than 180 objections have been raised from public consultation.

But a report to the meeting states the application has been recommended for refusal for eight reasons, namely:

  1. Lack of ‘very special circumstances’ for building in the Green Belt.
  2. Harm to local character
  3. Proximity of listed buildings and conservation areas
  4. Highway safety
  5. Loss of footpaths
  6. Insufficient conservation of habitats
  7. Loss of agricultural land
  8. Sustainability

The scheme of 15 sound stages, totalling 225,000 sq ft, plus a virtual reality and gaming hub and a nature reserve, has been planned by JLL for the site, north of Forest Green Road, which is largely open land.

The scheme was planned by JLL. Architect is 4D Studio and Pegasus provided heritage advice.

© Thames Tap (powered by ukpropertyforums.com).

Sign up to receive our weekly free journal, The Forum here.