Warner Bros has launched a bid to buy Leavesden Studios. Warner, who currently lease the space for Harry Potter and other projects, including The Dark Knight, have applied for the move with £100 million to back it up.

The studio plan to make Leavesden their permanent European production base - a rather useful investment boost for the UK film industry, with a significant refurbishment to occur as a result. Leavesden's 80 acre backlot and 500,000 square feet would be converted to allow improved facilities for visual effect and post-production work.

This move follows the recent failed attempt by Pinewood Shepperton to expand their site, which would have included houses to accommodate production crews. With Warner Bros offering up cash for Leavesden, Pinewood are expected to appeal.

According to Variety, the bid from Warner Bros would mark the first permanent European studio base since MGM took up residence at Elstree in the 1940s. Exciting times for the UK industry. Especially as we all know what happened to MGM.