Locals say Warner Bros studios expansion will 'destroy' green belt

Neighbours say the filmmaker's plans will "obliterate" green belt land between Watford and Abbots Langley with more than 30 official objections lodged.

Warner Bros says it is expanding to cope with an "increasing global demand for high quality film and television content" and has put forward a masterplan of 11 new sound stages, four production buildings, and three workshops.

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

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 Bros

But proposed development in the field by Gypsy Lane is being described as "inappropriate" and the Gypsy Lane Residents Group says it will "destroy" the green belt.

In a letter submitted to Three Rivers District Council's planning portal on behalf of 40 households, the group says Warner Bros successful bid for temporary permission for the backlot was "inadequately" challenged by the council and say, one year on, they see a "horrendous blot on the landscape".

Warner Bros currently has two-year temporary planning permission to film on a backlot outside. Photo taken in April 2021. Credit: Stephen Danzig

The group says it does not believe "very special circumstances" have been met to permanently build over the green belt and have called on a "significant" number of trees to be planted to screen the development if it does go ahead.

However, Gypsy Lane Residents Group has welcomed Warner Bros plans to protect and enhance the lower field below Gypsy Lane.

The Chiltern Society, made up of more than 7,000 members campaigning to "cut overbearing development" has also objected along with environmental charity CPRE Hertfordshire.

A path that runs beside land at the film studios. Credit: Stephen Danzig

Other concerns raised within the planning portal include the "immense" impact the scheme could have on traffic.

An additional comment submitted by a resident in Royce Grove in Leavesden states Warner Bros will "lose the support of what has largely been a very accepting and supportive local community" with this proposal.

Natural England, the Environment Agency, and Abbots Langley Parish Council have not raised objections although the latter says it wants to council officers to be aware of concerns raised by others in the consultation.

Outdoor filming at Warner Bros studios off Gypsy Lane in 2021. Credit: Stephen Danzig

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.

Warner Bros studios

Warner Bros declined to respond to comments made in the portal but Emily Stillman, senior vice-president at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, said previously: "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.