One of the world’s biggest film companies has announced plans to build a permanent UK base at Leavesden Studios.

Warner Brothers, which currently leases the site, has announced plans to buy it outright and begin an improvement programme worth an estimated £100 million, accoding to the Financial Times.

Warner Brothers said it could not confirm or deny this figure.

Plans, lodged with Three Rivers District and Watford Borough councils today, would see production and filming space dramatically expanded, with two new permanent stages constructed.

Leavesden Studios has been the UK base for Warner Brothers and the Harry Potter films for the past decade and has also played host to other blockbuster productions, including Charlie and The Chocolate Factory and The Dark Knight.

The plans also include provision for fans to tour the sets where their favourite films were made.

The company stressed, however, that any visitor element of the development would take the form only of these pre-booked tours.

A Warner Brothers spokesperson said: "Warner Brothers holds Leavesden Studios in the highest esteem as the home of our much-loved Harry Potter films.

“This proposal is central to our long-term plans to invest in the local production community, to create local and industry employment opportunities, and to continue the legacy of exceptional British filmmaking at Leavesden and across the UK.

“We look forward to continuing to co-operate with the Three Rivers and Watford councils and with the local communities as the project moves forward.”