Harry Potter film studios closer to expansion

The film studios behind Harry Potter and House of the Dragon has moved a step closer to expansion.

A "masterplan" put forward by Warner Bros Studios in Leavesden, Hertfordshire, has been approved by Three Rivers District Council.

It includes 11 new permanent sound stages, four office buildings, and three new workshops.

Emily Stillman, the studios' senior vice president, told the committee the expansion would meet "a huge demand for high-quality TV shows as well as film".

Warner Bros said the development would create 1,625 full-time “high-wage, high-skill” jobs in the Watford area and add £85.7m to the local economy by 2027, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The development site spans 51.78 hectares of the former Leavesden Airfield, next to the existing studios and The Making of Harry Potter tourist attraction.

Ms Stillman said the company would set aside an 8.3-hectare green space known as Lower Field, which the public could use.

"This is not just about the economy," she said.

"Leavesden must be a great place to work but it must also remain a great place to live."

Members of the council's planning committee voted to ask the government to make the final decision over the plans due to the size of the development and rules on building on green belt land.

But the government can hand the case back to the council to rule on and, if it does, committee members agreed it should grant planning permission.

About 10% of the site falls in the Watford Borough Council district, where councillors were expected to make their decision in January.

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