Last week, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government approved the planning application for Marlow Studios, marking a significant step forward for the UK’s creative industries and for Buckinghamshire’s position as a global centre of film and television production.
The decision unlocks the potential to transform previously neglected land into a major centre for filmmaking, supporting long-term economic growth and strengthening the UK’s position in an increasingly competitive international market. Prior + Partners’ expertise has been intrinsic to this success, with our practice appointed since 2020 to act as masterplanners for the project, working alongside the client Dido Properties to shape its strategic vision.
Marlow Studios is expected to become an internationally recognised destination for film and television production, supported by a purpose-built cluster of sound stages, workshops, production facilities and a dedicated culture and skills academy. The wider vision combines creative industry infrastructure with sustainable placemaking, ensuring the development supports local communities through improved transport connections, education and training partnerships, enhanced biodiversity and carefully integrated public access.
The approval acknowledges the importance and ambition of the proposals, but it also reflects the high bar set for any development on Green Belt land. To be granted planning permission, the project was required to demonstrate ‘very special circumstances,’ a stringent Government test that demands both necessity and clear public benefit. This process included an extensive search of 95 potential alternative sites across the region, including brownfield locations, confirming that no other suitable options could meet the needs of a modern, large-scale film studio. Meeting this test required a comprehensive and robust application, supported by substantial detail and binding commitments across economic, environmental and community considerations.
As construction moves forward, Prior + Partners will continue to support the realisation of a project that responds to both the economic needs of the industry and the long-term aspirations of Buckinghamshire. Marlow Studios stands to become a landmark development – strengthening the UK’s competitive advantage, creating jobs and opportunities, and delivering a positive legacy for the region.
In bringing together the masterplan, we have coordinated inputs from a wider team of consultants including architects WilkinsonEyre, landscape architects Gillespies, and engineers Aecom.
