Parish council will make a case against Holyport Studios at appeal

Bray Parish Council has applied for a seat at the table during the appeal over Holyport Film Studios.

Controversial plans for the sprawling 20,900sqm of film and TV studio floorspace on greenbelt land were submitted in December 2022 by Greystoke Land Ltd.

It includes sound stages, a virtual reality studio, workshops, specialist studio facilities and 2.9 acres of outdoor film backlots (22/03374/OUT).

Also included was a new 16.9-acre publicly accessible ‘Nature Park’ and new cycle and pedestrian facilities.

The land, covering 43 hectares, currently comprises undeveloped agricultural land.

RBWM unanimously rejected plans in March after nearly 400 objections were submitted by members of the public.

But this was not the end of the scheme. Greystoke Land lodged an appeal against the decision earlier this month.

In their statement of case, the developer said the harm identified by RBWM was ‘exaggerated’ and ‘ignored the compelling evidence base in support of the application’.

As such, RBWM will have to defend its decision to the Planning Inspectorate and Greystoke will be trying to convince the inspector to overturn the council’s decision, so it can go ahead with its plans.

In an appeal, other parties can be heard outside of the appellant and the planning authority – and Bray Parish Council (BPC) has made it clear that it intends to be heard.

BPC has long been a staunch opponent of the studios, recommending refusal at every turn.

Different variations of the plans were submitted for the parish council’s consideration several times, and every time, were roundly slammed.

The parish council’s fundamental contention is that this scheme proposed for the greenbelt has demonstrated no ‘very special circumstances’ (needed to justify building there).

This major objection has remained consistent from the start.

Greystoke, by contrast, makes a financial argument in favour of its very special circumstances, namely, that the film industry is growing and these studios are needed.

BPC has expressed doubt regarding this business justification, given all the other film studios in the area.

Bray Parish Council has now applied for and been granted Rule 6 status and will be presenting its case against the Studios at the inquiry.

Rule 6 status can be granted to organisations, groups, or individuals giving them the right to submit evidence, cross-examine witnesses, and make legal submissions, just like the main parties involved.

BPC does not require Rule 6 status to participate – anyone can attend and request to speak at the Inspector’s discretion.

Nonetheless, the parish council applied for it. Chair of planning for BPC, Louvaine Kneen, explained this would let it be a more active participant, hence the decision.

The parish council will work with RBWM, and is also looking to hire its own planning consultant.

“The [public] strength of feeling is very strong on this,” she said.

“I think we had the most objections we ever had for this in the whole of the parish, for as long as I’ve been here, and I’ve been here over 40 years.

“There’s so many ripples from it, because it’s greenbelt. I know everyone’s watching what’s going on.”

The planning inquiry is set to take place on November 12 (APP/T0355/W/24/3346409).