The Second World War airfield where the Big Brother reboot is set to be filmed could soon be home to a new studio.
According to plans handed to Dacorum Borough Council, a proposed green building would sit near the existing studios where Dancing on Ice and The Masked Singer are filmed.
The new permanent studio would replace a temporary structure, which was built on Bovingdon Airfield, near Hemel Hempstead, after planning permission was initially secured in 2020.
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The developer hopes a permanent studio will be of “considerable economic benefit” to a growing film industry in the UK.
“The retention of the existing and associated production space represents inappropriate development in the green belt,” a developer statement reads.
“In this case, the benefits of the scheme clearly and demonstrably outweigh the harm which has been identified.”
The statement adds: “It is understood the government is committed to protecting the green belt, however, a lack of studio capacity is hindering the industry’s growth.
“The provision of a further permanent studio at Bovingdon would provide an opportunity to counter this shortage and further expand the industry throughout the UK.”
The applicant has used British Film Institute data which shows the final three months of 2020 saw a £1.19billion spend on film and high-end TV production in the UK – the second-highest spend over a three-month period on record.
It adds the 59 by 35-metre building would be 15.25m high – smaller than the existing temporary structure – with solar panels mounted on the roof.
Green cladding, rather than the existing white exterior, is part of the design in the hope it will not “adversely impact” upon the surrounding countryside.
Dacorum Borough Council has not specified a target date for ruling on the application, however, it is listed online with the reference 22/03653/FUL.
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