Questions over the impact of Holyport Film Studios have raged on this week as a public inquiry over the plans continued in York House, Windsor.
Developer Greystoke Land Ltd insists its proposals will provide a much-needed boost for the film industry – and said it will be a ‘shot in the arm’ for the economy.
But the Royal Borough has continued to fight its corner and defend the decision to refuse planning permission over damage to greenbelt land and increased stress on nearby roads.
Holyport Film Studios is a sprawling plan for new film and TV sound stages and specialist production houses on a 20,900sqm area of land near Gays Lane.
At the inquiry on Wednesday, Stephen Nicol from Nicol Economics – a witness speaking on behalf of Greystoke’s plan – said: “The local plan does emphasise, as indeed you would expect it to, that a healthy economy needs a broad and diverse base with many different types of business sectors.”
He said, ‘if you join the dots logically the appeal proposal would contribute to making a broader and diverse economy in Berkshire’.
David Elvin KC, representing the developer, said the development would provide a boost to the UK film and the Berkshire economy worth around £250million
Mr Nichol considered this ‘a not insignificant shot in the arm’ for the industry.
He added that without investment, there was a risk UK film industry jobs could be lost to competitors.
But, under cross-examination by the Royal Borough’s barrister Richard Ground KC, he admitted lacking studio space was not a problem for the UK film and TV industry.
“You’ve referred to lots of economic statements and government statements,” Mr Ground said.
“And factually, not one of them has spoken of the lack of film studio space as being a hindrance on growth.”
Mr Nichol replied: “Not that I’m aware of.
“There’s obviously the things like the proposed revisions to NPPF (national planning policy framework) which talk about providing a supporting environment for business and also on shortages.
“But I’m not aware of anything specifically that says from the government we need more film space.”
On Thursday, Windsor and Maidenhead council’s principal planning officer Claire Pugh outlined the reasons why the borough is opposed to the development.
She told the inquiry that plans for buildings up to 21 metres on the film studios site would have a substantial impact on the openness of the greenbelt.
“The scale of the buildings are significantly larger than anything in the area,” Ms Pugh told the inquiry.
“You’ve got buildings that are 18 to 21 metres high which is completely out of keeping with the building heights in the area. In my experience, having worked in this borough for a number of years, and it is a rural borough, I’ve never seen a building that’s 18 or 21 metres tall.”
She described the proposals, which include plans for 1,000 car parking spaces, as being in an ‘unsustainable’ location.
The council’s principal planning officer also highlighted how the development and partial closure of some footpaths could impact residents’ enjoyment of the countryside.
“You’re going to get views of a large-scale development of an urban character in what is currently a rural area which has open views,” she said.
The inquiry is scheduled to finish next week, with Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner set to have the final say on the proposals.
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