Sky Studios has launched an appeal after plans for a northward expansion were rejected over green belt fears

After finishing work on its south studio, which since 2022 has hosted production teams for some of the biggest films out there at the moment - including Wicked, starring Ariana Grande, and Paddington in Peru - Sky applied for permission for a 71,777sq m extension to the north.

However, at a meeting on Thursday, March 21, Hertsmere Borough Council’s planning committee decided to refuse permission for work on the land between Rowley Lane and the A1 Barnet Bypass by six votes to five.

It was considered to constitute inappropriate development in the green belt and councillors did not think the very special circumstances offered to justify development outweighed the downside.

The company said at the time it remained “committed” to expanding the site, and this has now been demonstrated as it formally submitted its appeal case last week.

It claimed that Sky Studios Elstree South has exceeded estimates of its economic impact for the area since opening in 2022 and offers benefits to the community including job creation, training programmed, and community events.

Sky therefore feels that expansion will further boost the studios' status as a “major economic asset for Hertsmere”, doubling the number of jobs created.

CGI showing what an expanded Sky Studios Elstree complex would have looked like.CGI showing what an expanded Sky Studios Elstree complex would have looked like. Picture: Legal and General/Sky Studios/Hertsmere CouncilIts statement of case said: “Overall, the appellant will demonstrate that any harm to the green belt and any other harm is clearly outweighed by the multiplicity of important very special circumstances that arise from the development proposals as listed above.”

A letter which has gone out publicising the appeal today (November 14), gives November 8 as the start date for the process.

A CGI of the approved south studios site.A CGI of the approved south studios site. Picture: SkyFinal documents will need to be submitted by all parties by March 4, 2025, before a decision is made using the inquiry procedure.

The hearing is scheduled to take place over eight sitting days starting March 25.

The development would be made up of eight buildings. These would provide sound stages, office space, a multi-storey car park, production warehouse, and services building, as well as a permanent backlot.