5 Warner Bros. Studios

5 Warner Bros. Studios 5.1 The South West Herts Economic Study Update (2024) confirms that the Studios in Leavesden are a key asset for South West Herts’ creative industries and there is forecast increased demand for studio space which is a significant opportunity for expansion to s upport the sector and the local and national economy. It also notes that the Warner Bros Film Studios is one of only a few locations in the UK where large-scale film productions can be made. The site has also become a major visitor destination since the op ening of ‘Warner Bros. Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter’ which receives over 6,000 visitors a day at peak times. 5.2 There is likely to be significant growth in demand for studio space over the next 15 years and there is still significant growth potential at the site. This is therefore a key asset for South West Hertfordshire and key to the future growth of creative industries in the economic market area. Warner Bros. has already invested significantly in the Studios and has further plans to increase its size by around a quarter, including new sound stages workshops, postproduction facilities and an extension of the studi os tour. 5.3 In order not to compromise the ability of Warner Bros. Studios at Leavesden to contribute to the local and national economy, both as a local employer and as a centre to contribute to the economic growth of the district over the Local Plan period, it is essential that the existing studios and associated land (WB1) are safeguarded and sites WB 2 and WB 3 are allocated to allow the expansion of the studios and safeguarded for Warner Bros. Studio Use. Site WB3 has the benefit of planning permission and the site has been developed as part of the permission for the provision of new sound stages, workshops, production, post -production offices and associated works (22/0491/FUL and 23/1897/FUL). 5.4 The specific site allocation policies for sites WB1, WB2 and WB3 can be found below. Site Ref. WB1 Site Warner Bros. Studios Size (ha) 63 Allocation Use Warner Bros. Studios, tour use and other associated uses Site Ref WB2 Site Land at Gypsy Lane, Hunton Bridge Size (ha): 8 Current Use Open land Proposed Use Warner Bros. Studios & tour use and green infrastructur e (public open space) Green Belt The entire site was located in the Green Belt, but the southern portion was removed from the Green Belt as part of the allocation process Comments A detailed heritage impact assessment and an archaeological assessment would be required prior to any development in order to protect and mitigate any potential adverse impacts to heritage assets. Development would need to take account of protected trees w ithin the site. The site is located in Groundwater Source Protection Zone 1 which may limit the use of SuDS, deep foundations and below ground development. A preliminary risk assessment is required at the pre-application stage (or prior to determination) to ascertain whether there is contamination, and whether remediation works would be needed. Due to the location of the Local Wildlife which is adjacent to the site and partially within the site, measures to avoid adverse impacts and enhance biodiversity would need to be provided. Land to the north of the site should be for green infrastructure, specifically public open space and land to the south of the site should be for Warner Bros. Studios and tour use. Site Ref. WB3 Site Land west of Leavesden Aerodrome Size (ha): 41.88 Current Use Open land Proposed Use Warner Bros. Studios & tour use, green infrastructure and ecological reserve (public open space) Green Belt The entire site was located in the Green Belt, but the southern portion was removed from the Green Belt as part of the allocation process Comments Site WB3 has the benefit of planning permission, and the southern portion of the site has been developed as part of the consent for the provision of new sound stages, workshops, production, post-production offices and associated works (22/0491/FUL and 23/1897/FUL). The northern section of the site has b