Marlow Film Studios, a £750 million ($986 million) facility proposed for Buckinghamshire in southern England and backed by James Cameronreceived the green light from the UK government after an appeal.
The Department of Housing, Communities and Local Government gave its approval in a 266-page verdict after local planning issues were raised at the site where developers want to build 18 pavilions and a skills academy.
“This is a very positive endorsement for the UK's creative sector. It's great to see the industry's plans and hear the kind words, but it's decisions like these that support the real proposals that grow our creative industries,” said McLaren Construction's director of film, media and creative arts.
According to a Financial Times article published in 2024, James Cameron came out in support of the studio, writing to Buckinghamshire Council in support of the plans. He said Marlow could become a potential home and training center in the UK and Europe for his company Lightstorm3D, which develops technology for film production.
Secretary of State Steve Reid's decision to approve the development plans overturns the council's original decision to reject the studio's application on grounds including inappropriate green space development, lack of sustainable transport for commuters to the site and impact on local highways.
“While Steve Reid's decision noted that the film studio development would cause potential harm to the Green Belt due to inappropriateness and exposure, the decision gave greater weight to the wider benefits to justify this development in the Green Belt, including its fit with the growth agenda as it would attract global investment,” said Victoria Du Croze, head of planning and partner at law firm Forsters.
“The areas around the M25 are a hotbed of film studios and it is perhaps a testament to the strength of the UK creative industry that when the devastating fires broke out in Los Angeles in January there were no films in production in the LA studios, but UK studios were already busy.”
