Volterra is delighted to see the Government backing investment in the film and high-end TV sector with the approval of Marlow Studios.

Our senior partner Ellie Evans gave evidence at the Inquiry, with the decision concluding that the economic benefits attract very substantial weight. Combined with other benefits, it is concluded that very special circumstances exist which justify this development in the Green Belt.

It’s rare that the UK is a genuine world leader in an industry, but film and high-end TV is one such industry. The UK delivers over 20% of the entire global box office and has seen inward investment in film and HETV grow at an average of 19% per year since 2015, far outpacing global growth of 6%.

The West London Cluster, which Marlow will join, already hosts over 70% of the UK’s purpose built studio space, making it one of only a handful of world-leading production ecosystems capable of hosting the biggest and most complex international productions.

Volterra supported the project team by preparing the Economic Needs Assessment, developing the Employment and Skills Plan, and providing the economic evidence that helped demonstrate Marlow as a highly suitable and sustainable location for a world-class studio campus.

A major focus of our work was making the case for this specific location. We developed a multi-criteria analysis to show why Marlow is well placed to capture future growth in the film and TV sector, with excellent access to crew, supply chains and wider UK and international markets.

Marlow will provide a major boost to the UK economy, with over 2,000 jobs and at least £249m in Gross Value Added per year, and will deliver significant local benefits in Buckinghamshire through a comprehensive skills and workforce development plan.

We’re pleased that the Secretary of State has allowed the appeal and granted planning permission, and that the economic benefits have been given very substantial weight in the final decision.