A BIT of Hollywood could come to a Maidenhead village as developers eye building a new film and television studio on a large part of greenbelt land.
Greystoke Land is currently consulting with residents on plans to build sound stages, ancillary workshops, production support spaces, offices, car parking, an access road, and ecological enhancements in Holyport.
The site is located along Gay’s Lane on 43.15 hectares of land to the southeast of the village and is not too far away from the historic Bray Studios, which has been granted planning permission to expand.
A 16.9-hectare nature park to the east of Gay’s Lane that will be open to the public will also be created. It will also provide a backlot filming area.
Other proposals include new tree planting across the site and vehicle access from Forest Green Road only via a new roundabout.
If built, the developer said this will create about 1,500 full-time jobs, provide local jobs and apprenticeships opportunities, contribute to the Royal Borough’s local economy, and contribute to the UK film and tv production – which has seen nearly £6bn in investment last year.
On the website, it states: "Significant growth in UK investment and expenditure for Film & TV production is driving up considerable demand for studio space. This has led to an acute shortage of studio space, suitable for producing high-end content in the South East, particularly West London.
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"Holyport Studios presents a rare and fantastic opportunity to provide a brand-new purpose-built studio within the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead and help establish the borough as a leading centre of exceptional Film & TV production."
But the plans have not been welcomed by everyone. Bray councillor David Coppinger (Con), lead member for environmental services, Maidenhead, parks, and countryside, said he opposes the development of the large greenbelt land near Holyport.
He wrote on Facebook: “I am opposing this speculative bid. We have a brand new Borough Local Plan which meets the needs of the borough for many years both in terms of housing and commercial needs.”
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There will be an online webinar at 6pm on October 19. Drop-in sessions will also be held on Saturday, October 22, from 1pm to 4pm at Braywood Memorial Hall.
To attend the virtual event, email Alice Marmara at alice@spbroadway.com.
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