Warner Bros Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter has received permission to build a new attraction.
The film company submitted designs for a ‘Blackbox’ exhibit to Three Rivers District Council in early November, before a decision notice granting approval was published yesterday (December 17).
One neighbour objected to the proposal during the planning process, raising concerns over potential noise levels, while Abbots Langley District Council said it had no issues with the building itself but requested a condition for periodic noise testing if complaints are made.
Some noise limits were included as a condition of the approval.
The large 11-metre-high structure will look similar to the nearby studio buildings at the Leavesden facility, with steel doors and shutters and no windows.
According to planning documents, it will house an “audio-visual attraction” which will present a short show to an audience.
Warner Bros highlighted the studio tour’s economic benefits to the area in its bid for permission, adding: “The proposed Blackbox will add another attraction to the studio tour’s long list of popular visitor amenities, helping to maintain its attractiveness, excellence in customer satisfaction ratings, and the length of time visitors stay, as well as creating demand for both new and repeat visits.”
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Earlier this year, the company confirmed that it would be adding a totally new feature for the summer which will be in place on the tour from May 6 to September 8. It is unclear whether this relates to the Blackbox, which will be a permanent structure.
After opening its doors to visitors on March 31, 2012, the tour in Leavesden has been very well received with 96 per cent of more than 46,000 Tripadvisor reviews rating it ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’ and more than 80,000 4 or 5-star ratings on Google Reviews.
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