Warner Bros has submitted official plans to expand its studios in Leavesden to cope with an "increasing global demand for high quality film and television content".

The movie giant says this "reflects its commitment" to the site that has become the home of Harry Potter and say it will bring more jobs to the area.

The masterplan put forward by Warner Bros includes the construction of 11 sound stages, four production buildings, and three workshops.

The company also wants to make a backlot used for outdoor filming permanent and says the proposal has been driven by the "need" for additional studio facilities.

Watford Observer: A screenshot of the masterplan by Warner Bros. In colour is proposed new areas of the site and greyed out within the blue lines is the existing studio facilities and boundary. Credit: Warner BrosA screenshot of the masterplan by Warner Bros. In colour is proposed new areas of the site and greyed out within the blue lines is the existing studio facilities and boundary. Credit: Warner Bros

Warner Bros has been filming on the former aerodrome site in Leavesden since 2012 and is a preferred destination for the making of some the biggest films including Harry Potter, Fast and Furious, The Witches, Tomb Raider, and Fantastic Beasts.

The Warner Bros Studio Tour, which delves into the wizarding world of Harry Potter, has also become a huge tourist attraction.

The masterplan, which has been submitted to Three Rivers District Council and Watford Borough Council, also includes details about other developments planned for the site.

In addition to buildings used for filming, there is a plan for a multi-storey car park - with around 2,500 new spaces in total at the site, on land known as the Island site.

A pedestrian bridge would be created to link the green belt Island Site to the main studio site with a new roundabout also planned close to the A41.

The detailed planning application also speaks about environmental, ecological, and economic benefits this expansion would bring.

Emily Stillman, senior vice-president at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, said: "Since Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden opened in 2012 we have continued to reinvest in the Studio and Tour facilities, creating two world-class businesses at the heart of the local community.

"At a time when the UK film and TV industry is flourishing, demand for quality production space has never been greater.

"Our ambition is to invest further in our studio to meet the increasing demand from productions, bringing more jobs and economic benefits to the area, whilst also continuing to improve our local environment through green space and ecological improvements."

The plans can be viewed on Three Rivers District Council's planning portal via reference 22/0491/FUL.