Film studios are making Wokingham Borough the “Hollywood of England”, a councillor has said – as two major projects got the go-ahead.

Plans for a huge new sound stage building in Winnersh Triangle Business Park, and a “gateway” office building at Thames Valley Science Park both got planning permission on Wednesday, October 12.

Voting for the plans, councillor Rachelle Shepherd-DuBey said: “It looks like Wokingham is becoming the Hollywood of England at this point. We have all sorts of new and different and sound stages and producing things in Wokingham.”

She added that the plans could also lead to “more employment in the borough” – and encouraged the studio companies to provide apprenticeships.

Members of Wokingham Borough Council’s planning committee approved two separate planning applications from film studio companies on Wednesday, October 11.

Film studio company Stage 50 got permission to demolish two warehouses at Winnersh Triangle Business Park and replace them with a “sound stage” building that can accommodate two studios.

And Shinfield Studios’ planned “gateway building” at Thames Valley Science Park will feature two cinema screens with 100 seats that could be opened up to community use on the weekend.

Councillor Shepherd-DuBey said: “Wokingham is becoming the creative capital of southern England at this point.”

But councillor David Cornish – who also backed the plans – joked: “I live in terror of someone suggesting we have stars with names on them going through Denmark Street.”