The fate of Holyport Studios, one of the biggest soundstage project in the UK is set to be debated over ten days in November.

The local government has refused to grant planning permission citing its impact on the local community and infrastructure.

The studio site is located in the village of Holyport, about 50 miles east of central London.

But developers say ‘very special circumstances’ – namely the need for studio space and the economic boost it would bring – mean it should be allowed.

Investment company Graystoke Land has appealed to the government’s planning inspectorate, asking it to overturn the council’s decision to block the plans.

In its statement to the inspectorate, it argues that the council has ‘exaggerated’ the harm that the studios would do to the greenbelt, and ‘ignored’ its economic benefits.

In an argument on behalf of Greystoke, property consultants Montagu Evans said: “In the context of the current economy of the UK, this is exactly the type of development that the current and future governments will encourage to boost the national and local economy.”

The firm says the studios – which would be ‘the third largest film studio in the country’ – need sufficient space, and also need to be located near to other film industry sites in west London and the south east.

Greystoke acknowledges that the development would cause harm to the greenbelt. But it argues that the benefits amount to ‘very special circumstances’ that outweigh the harms.

It argues that it would not be able to develop the amount of studio floorspace it needs without building on the greenbelt. And it says Holyport’s proximity to other nearby film industry sites means it’s one of the few suitable locations.

Montague Evans statements says: “This is no ordinary development proposal and nor is it one that meets a generic need that could be met anywhere.

“If the appeal is allowed, it would provide for the third largest film studio in the country. The evidence identifies the rapidly growing need for studio floorspace and in doing so, the pressing need for the proposed development.”

But the council argues that Greystoke has itself ‘overstated’ the economic case for the studios. Council officers argue that the development of other studios in Berkshire and the south east means there’s less of a case for building another one in Holyport.

In contrast, it says that the demand for new studios is falling. It cites statistics from the British Film Institute that show film and TV production volumes have fallen by 25 per cent between 2022 and 2024.

The appeal hearing is set to take place over ten days between November 12 and November 26.