Rayner urged to approve Marlow film studios in test of Labour planning policy

Inquiry into plan backed by director James Cameron begins after council rejected it over use of green-belt land

Angela Rayner has been urged to give the green light to a project to build a £750m Hollywood-style film and TV studio to prove the creative industries are an “economic priority”, a public inquiry into the project backed by the Avatar director James Cameron has heard.

Rayner, the deputy prime minister, will make a final decision on the proposed development of Marlow Film Studios based on a report produced after the inquiry into the project’s planning application. The hearings began on Tuesday and Rayner’s decision is seen as a test of Labour’s approach to planning and the creative industries.

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