Angela Rayner urged to approve £750m project to build Hollywood-style film and TV studios to prove creative industries are an 'economic priority' - Avatar director A James Cameron-backed public inquiry into the project has been heard.

Deputy Prime Minister Rayner will make the final decision on the proposed development of Marlowe Film Studios based on a report following an investigation into the project's planning application. The hearing begins on Tuesday, with Rayner's decision seen as a test of Labour's approach to planning and the creative industries.

Plans for the Marlowe Film Studios development, which would have created 4,000 jobs, were rejected by Buckinghamshire Council in May last year. The committee cited concerns about impacts on the road network and green belt land use, among other concerns.

In October, Renner lodged a rejected planning application for the studio complex, which has high-profile backing from film producers including Cameron and 1917 director Sam Mendes. The project is led by Robert Laycock, Ian Fleming's grandnephew and managing partner of the estate of the James Bond creator.

On the first day of a month-long public inquiry into the application, which will provide its report and recommendations to Rayner, the project's lawyers immediately described the final decision as a test of Labour's commitment to growing the UK's creative industries.

“The new Labor government has made clear that strengthening the UK film and TV industry is a core economic priority,” said Sasha White KC. "If the UK Government is serious about supporting the creative industries, then Marlowe Studios can deliver. It is no exaggeration to say that this proposal is a great addition to the economic health of the county, London and the South East and indeed the country as a whole. A game changer.”

White pointed out that Labor announced sweeping planning reforms last year, including ordering councils to review green belt boundaries to identify low-quality "grey belt" land where construction could be built.

"The site is designated as part of the green belt," he said. "(We) will argue, however, that the site is 'grey belt' land newly envisioned by the Labor government. We will reject this council's pessimistic, unambitious and frankly short-sighted approach."

Lawyers representing Buckinghamshire County Council and campaign groups including Save Marlow argued that developers’ predictions of a boom in UK manufacturing going forward were unfounded.

They point out that Pinewood, home to the Bond series and Disney's UK production centre, has shelved expansion plans to gain council approval in 2022.

Last month, developers scrapped plans for nearby Wycombe Film Studios due to market uncertainty, opting instead to build a data centre.

“The council supports the government’s growth agenda,” Buckinghamshire County Council KC Simon Bird said. "When it is proposed to be in the right location it does not impede growth. Predicting demand is inherently difficult. The committee is not satisfied that there is a clear need."

Under the appeals procedure, the Planning Inspector may conduct an inquiry (or hearing) and the Secretary of State has the power to make a decision on the appeal at any stage or to reinstate the appeal until the Planning Inspector issues a decision.

Any further appeal will be by way of an application for judicial review to the High Court.

In theory, the Secretary of State can make a planning application for any reason, but in practice very few applications are made each year.