Marlow Film Studios to appeal council’s decision to block development

Buckinghamshire Council rejected Marlow Films Studios’ development plan in May, saying there was insufficient evidence to justify the studios being built on greenbelt land. Marlow Film Studios said the project would be built on a former landfill site.

Marlow Films Studios said its proposed new studios would provide 4,000 new jobs and generate £3.2bn in economic growth over its first decade.

“In spite of the council’s decision to refuse our application, we remain confident of the strength of our case, and of the benefits that our investment will bring to the local community and the wider national economy,” Marlow Film Studios said in a statement.

“The investment presents a significant opportunity to utilise and substantially improve a despoiled former landfill site, making good use of a site that is presently unusable for domestic buildings or agriculture.

“Our hope is to build an institution of global standing for the British film industry that Marlow will be proud of,” it added.

Marlow’s appeal comes just weeks after the Labour Party came to power. The Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said she wants to change planning rules so that poor-quality parts of the greenbelt can be considered for development.

However, local opposition to the project remains strong, with critics arguing that it would worsen existing traffic congestion and conflict with policies designed to preserve the green belt for outdoor sport and recreation.