Plans for the "UK's biggest film studios" in Borehamwood have taken a giant step towards becoming a reality.
Hertswood Studios could see the delivery of one million square ft. of film studio space, including 21 stages, workshops, and a hotel for visiting film stars and crew.
The green belt land that has been identified for the studios is next door to the Sky Studios development which is under construction.
The land was put forward earlier this year after Hertsmere Borough Council put out a call for potential employment sites as part of its new Local Plan.
Planning documents released this week revealed the site has been chosen as an employment opportunity, forming part of a new 'Media Quarter' for Borehamwood and Well End.
Hertswood Studios has already received backing from the Department for International Trade and seemingly the council has backed it too - although planning permission is still required.
Planning consultancy firm Bidwells, which is working on the Hertswood Studios project, says construction of the film studios could begin by 2023.
The land earmarked for the development is owned by the Wrotham Park Estate, which also owns land off nearby Cowley Hill in Borehamwood, which the council has identified as an appropriate site to build 800 homes to meet Government housing targets.
Giles Dobson, managing partner of Bidwells’ Rural division, said: "These plans for a new community and a world-leading film and TV cluster demonstrate the long-term commitment Wrotham Park has to the stewardship of the local area.
"As historic local landowners, the estate is making an investment into the long-term economic potential of Borehamwood.
"Looking ahead, we plan on working closely with Hertsmere Borough Council to deliver this scheme, consulting with the local communities who reside in the area, and build on the incredibly rich film heritage of Elstree and Borehamwood."
Borehamwood does have a rich filming history - the likes of Star Wars and Indiana Jones have been produced in the town.
Elstree Studios and the BBC studios have kept the town firmly at the centre of the film and television industry, with Sky Studios scheduled to open in 2022.
The council says it "wishes to continue to develop the film and TV production industry within Borehamwood" and "increase its ability to attract a very broad range of digital, creative and media-related businesses", adding applications which support the film and TV sector will be "encouraged".
According to Bidwells, Oxford Economics predicts Hertswood Studios will contribute £1.17 billion to the local economy every year, with talk of the studios creating thousands of jobs.
Further plans at the site include a 200-room hotel and a new college.
The site that has been selected is exclusively rural with narrow country roads.
The council says access to the site would be from Rowley Lane with junction improvements between the A1, Rowley Lane, and Holmshill Lane.
Pedestrian and cycle and bus links would also be improved between the studios and Borehamwood town centre.
The draft local plan is set to go out to public consultation in October lasting for six weeks.
There will be a further opportunity to comment on the final plan next year, before it is submitted to the Secretary of State for formal examination.
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