Who are we?

We are local residents opposing Sky Studio's appeal to build more film studios on Green Belt land east of Borehamwood.

2500 Hertsmere residents objected to Sky Studios' planning application to build  studios on green field Green Belt which was then rejected by Hertsmere’s councillors in March 2024. 

Sky are now appealing against that rejection, and we have joined that planning appeal as a 'Rule 6' third party so residents views can be heard and need donations now to fund our legal team

Our campaign's name says it all: GREEN FIELDS not GREY STUDIOS

Facebook: Green Fields not Grey Studios https://www.facebook.com/share/15e5h6JHPN/

email: [email protected] 

Summary of our case

Sky and Legal & General say they "need" to build on 38 acres of  Green Belt next to their existing studios.

We say their "need" to build on this Green Belt, which are green fields and undeveloped, does not justify the irreversible loss of Green Belt and they must look at alternative sites.

Call to action

We are fighting against two very large businesses, Sky Studios and the owners of the land, Legal & General. 

We must now raise money to fund the first stage of our participation in this appeal. Our legal team, including a Kings Counsel, say we have a very strong case.

Please donate, share this page, and encourage others to do the same so we can continue to the next stage of participating in this appeal. Thank you so much! 

What are we trying to achieve? 

We want to make sure our voices as residents are heard at this planning appeal and make it clear that Sky's "need" does not justify the irreversible loss of Green Belt and they must look at alternative sites.

Studios run on freelance staff who travel in for film productions, there will be very few local jobs and a huge increase in traffic, through Borehamwood, Shenley, and Ridge.

We also also very concerned what might happen if the appeal is allowed. HBC’s Local Plan (Regulation 18) Submission Draft (2024) has removed the allocation of the ‘Media Quarter’. This was a plan to further expand studios northward and swallow up both these 38 acres but also a further 86 acres on Green Belt! Legal & General are now objecting to the removal of this allocation for a Media Quarter. 

Proposals for this land include the loss of the Strangeways Farm livery stable and all its land. Some of the proposals for this land have also included the loss of the Mops and Brooms Pub.

What is the next step in the case?

As local residents, under the banner of GREEN FIELDS not GREY STUDIOS we have joined the planning appeal as a 'Rule 6' third party so all our views can be heard formally at that planning appeal.  

How much we are raising and why?

We need to raise  £10,000 by 28th February to fund the next stage of our participation in this appeal as local residents.

As residents we came together the planning application was rejected by Hertsmere’s councillors.

Please help us to fight this appeal by donating and sharing this request.

Thank you so much for being a part of it.